Abbey C Thomas1, Brian G Pietrosimone2, Carter J Bayer3. 1. 1 Biodynamics Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC. 2. 2 Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 3. 3 Musculoskeletal Health and Movement Science Laboratory, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may provide important information regarding the corticospinal mechanisms that may contribute to the neuromuscular activation impairments. Paired-pulse TMS testing is a reliable method for measuring intracortical facilitation and inhibition; however, little evidence exists regarding agreement of these measures in the quadriceps. OBJECTIVE: To determine the between-session and inter-rater agreement of intracortical excitability (short and long interval intracortical inhibition [SICI; LICI] and intracortical facilitation [ICF]) in the dominant limb quadriceps. DESIGN: Reliability study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen healthy volunteers (n=6 female; age: 24.7±2.1 years; height: 1.7±0.1m; mass: 77.1±17.4kg). INTERVENTION: Participants completed 2 TMS sessions separated by 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two investigators measured quadriceps SICI, LICI, and ICF at rest and actively (5% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction). All participants were seated in a dynamometer with the knee flexed to 90°. Intracortical excitability paradigm and investigator order were randomized. Bland-Altman analyses were used to establish agreement. RESULTS: Agreement was stronger between sessions within a single investigator than between investigators and for active compared to resting measures. Agreement was strongest for resting SICI and active ICF and LICI between sessions for each investigator. CONCLUSIONS:Quadriceps intracortical excitability may be measured longitudinally by a single investigator, though active muscle contraction should be elicited during testing.
RCT Entities:
CONTEXT: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may provide important information regarding the corticospinal mechanisms that may contribute to the neuromuscular activation impairments. Paired-pulse TMS testing is a reliable method for measuring intracortical facilitation and inhibition; however, little evidence exists regarding agreement of these measures in the quadriceps. OBJECTIVE: To determine the between-session and inter-rater agreement of intracortical excitability (short and long interval intracortical inhibition [SICI; LICI] and intracortical facilitation [ICF]) in the dominant limb quadriceps. DESIGN: Reliability study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen healthy volunteers (n=6 female; age: 24.7±2.1 years; height: 1.7±0.1m; mass: 77.1±17.4kg). INTERVENTION: Participants completed 2 TMS sessions separated by 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two investigators measured quadriceps SICI, LICI, and ICF at rest and actively (5% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction). All participants were seated in a dynamometer with the knee flexed to 90°. Intracortical excitability paradigm and investigator order were randomized. Bland-Altman analyses were used to establish agreement. RESULTS: Agreement was stronger between sessions within a single investigator than between investigators and for active compared to resting measures. Agreement was strongest for resting SICI and active ICF and LICI between sessions for each investigator. CONCLUSIONS: Quadriceps intracortical excitability may be measured longitudinally by a single investigator, though active muscle contraction should be elicited during testing.
Authors: Sarah A Scheurer; David A Sherman; Neal R Glaviano; Christopher D Ingersoll; Grant E Norte Journal: Exp Brain Res Date: 2020-01-02 Impact factor: 1.972
Authors: Naiandra Dittrich; Daniel Agostino; Roberta Antonini Philippe; Luiz Guilherme A Guglielmo; Nicolas Place Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-04-23 Impact factor: 3.240