Table 1.

Summary of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for spinal cord injury (SCI).

Levels of SCI	ASIA scale	Sample size	TMS stimulated region	TMS protocol	Key outcomes	Reference
C4–T12	A–B	16	M1	Intensity: 50%–100% MSO	Muscles below the level of injury exhibit TMS-induced and/or autonomically induced activity	(51)
C6–T10	A–B	9	M1 representation of the PFM	Intensity: 60% MSO	The presence of MEPs in PFM induced by TMS indicates that possible preservation of descending pathways supplying the PFM	(52)
Healthy individuals	/	15	Left-hemisphere	Intensity: 60%–100% MSO	Diaphragmatic MEP induced by TMS and recorded via surface EMG can reflect cortico-diaphragmatic conduction	(53)
C5–T3	A	5	Abdominal region of M1	Intensity: 50%–100% MSO	Patients with SCI are able to activate the abdominal muscles in response to TMS and maximum voluntary (or attempted) contractions	(54)
Myelopathy	/	831	Vertex of the cranium	Intensity: 20% above the threshold for the MEPs	MEPs were prolonged in 711 patients (86%) and CMCTs were prolonged in 493 patients (59%)	(55)
C2–C7	C–D	21	Motor cortex	Intensity: 50% MSO	MEP latency was prolonged throughout the follow-up period in SCI patients	(56)
C2–C8	B–D	9	Motor cortex (hand)	Intensity: 110%–120% RMT	SCI patients have lower TMS evoked potential amplitudes and higher TMS motor thresholds	(58)

SCI, spinal cord injury; ASIA, American Spinal Injury Association; TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation; M1, primary motor cortex; MSO, maximal stimulator output; MEP, motor-evoked potential; PFM, pelvic floor muscle; EMG, electromyography; RMT, resting motor threshold; CMCT, central motor conduction time.