A checklist for assessing the methodological quality of studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation to study the motor system: An international consensus study

Abstract

In the last decade transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been the subject of more than 20,000 original research articles. Despite this popularity, TMS responses are known to be highly variable and this variability can impact on interpretation of research findings. There are no guidelines regarding the factors that should be reported and/or controlled in TMS studies. This study aimed to develop a checklist to be recommended to evaluate the methodology and reporting of studies that use single or paired pulse TMS to study the motor system. A two round international web-based Delphi study was conducted. Panellists rated the importance of a number of subject, methodological and analytical factors to be reported and/or controlled in studies that use single or paired pulse TMS to study the motor system. Twenty-seven items for single pulse studies and 30 items for paired pulse studies were included in the final checklist. Eight items related to subjects (e.g. age, gender), 21 to methodology (e.g. coil type, stimulus intensity) and two to analysis (e.g. size of the unconditioned motor evoked potential). The checklist is recommended for inclusion when submitting manuscripts for publication to ensure transparency of reporting and could also be used to critically appraise previously published work. It is envisaged that factors could be added and deleted from the checklist on the basis of future research. Use of the TMS methodological checklist should improve the quality of data collection and reporting in TMS studies of the motor system.

Isometric exercise induces analgesia and reduces inhibition in patellar tendinopathy

“…In osteoarthritis-related pain, inhibition did not significantly differ from the control group whereas in chronic neuropathic pain, following peripheral nerve lesion, there was a significant reduction in inhibition 49. When normal volunteers are subjected to experimental muscle pain SICI levels are increased;28 however, the intervention protocol of the current study was non-painful. Despite the limited literature available for comparison, the high levels of inhibition present in people with PT (mean of 27% whereas data reported for the quadriceps in normal participants ranges between 50% and 70%)16 appears to be a novel finding.…”

“…Participants were tested at the same time of day and the same day of the week 28. TMS was delivered using two Magstim 200 2 stimulators connected via a Bistim unit (Magstim Co, Dyfed, UK) and a 110 mm concave double-cone coil (maximum output of 1.4 T).…”

Acute motor, neurocognitive and neurophysiological change following concussion injury in Australian amateur football. A prospective multimodal investigation

“…All TMS procedures adhered to the TMS checklist for methodological quality. 24 Active and resting motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were obtained using a Magstim 200 2 stimulator (Magstim Co, UK) with a figure-of-eight D70 2 coil (external loop Ø105 mm). For reliability of coil placement participants wore a snugly fitted cap (EasyCap, Germany), positioned with reference to the nasion-inion and interaural lines.…”

Altered paired associative stimulation‐induced plasticity in NMDAR encephalitis

“…Six encephalitis patients received repeated measurement for follow‐up analyses. Participants underwent TMS assessments reported in accordance to the checklist for assessing methodological quality for TMS studies18 (Table S1). PAS protocol was defined as primary outcome.…”