| Objective: To observe the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the spinal cord independence and the neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury (C4-T12 incomplete injury). Methods: Forty-eight patients with C4-T12 spinal cord injury (Asia C/D grade) were enrolled, and were randomly divided into two groups, 24 in each group. The control group was treated with placebo (transcranial magnetic stimulation with extremely low threshold intensity) on the basis of routine rehabilitation, and the observation group was given repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (80% threshold intensity) on the basis of routine rehabilitation. Motor evoked potential (MEP), rest motor threshold (RMT), Short form McGillPain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Spinal Cord Independence Measure Ⅲ (SCIM-Ⅲ) were assessed before and 6 months after treatment. Results: After 6 months of treatment, MEP in observation group was significantly higher than that before treatment and control group (P<0.05), and RMT was significantly lower than that before treatment and control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the MEP and RMT in the control group before and after treatment (P>0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the scores of SF-MPQ in the observation group were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.05), the scores of PRI-S, PRI-T and VAS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the scores of PRI-A and PPI in two groups; there was no significant difference in the scores of SF-MPQ in the control group before and after treatment (P>0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the SCIM-Ⅲ score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Adding rMTS on the basis of routine rehabilitation can significantly improve the spinal cord independence and the neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury (C4-T12 incomplete injury). |
