• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.89-101
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• 2016

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, noninvasive and useful technique for exploring brain function. Especially, for the study of cognition, the technique can modulate a cognitive performance if the targeted area is engaged, because TMS has an effect on cortical network. The effect of TMS can vary depending on the frequency, intensity, and timing of stimulation. In this paper, we review the studies with TMS targeting various regions for evaluation of cognitive function. Cognitive functions, such as attention, working memory, semantic decision, discrimination and social cognition can be improved or deteriorated according to TMS stimulation protocols. Furthermore, potential therapeutic applications of TMS, including therapy in a variety of illness and research into cortical localization, are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.285-289
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• 2014

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive and safe technique for motor cortex stimulation. TMS is used to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders, including mood and movement disorders. TMS can also treat several types of chronic neuropathic pain. The pain relief mechanism of cortical stimulation is caused by modifications in neuronal excitability. Depression is a common co-morbidity with chronic pain. Pain and depression should be treated concurrently to achieve a positive outcome. Insomnia also frequently occurs with chronic lower back pain. Several studies have proposed hypotheses for TMS pain management. Herein, we report two cases with positive results for the treatment of depression and insomnia with chronic low back pain by TMS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.53-58
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• 2022

Noninvasive stimulation of the nervous system for treating chronic neuropathic pain has received attention because of its tolerability and relative efficacy. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a representative method of noninvasive brain stimulation. Evidence-based guidelines on therapeutic use of rTMS have been proposed recently for several neurological diseases. These guidelines recommend treating neuropathic pain by applying high-frequency (≥ 5 Hz) rTMS to the primary motor cortex contralateral to the painful side. This review summarizes the mechanisms and guidelines of rTMS for treating neuropathic pain, and proposes directions for future research.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2012

Transcranial magnetic stimulation requires an electric field composed of dozens of V/m to achieve stimulation. The stimulation system is composed of a stimulation coil to form the electric field by charging and discharging a capacitor in order to save energy, thus requiring high-pressure kV. In particular, it is charged and discharged in capacitor to discharge through stimulation coil within a short period of time (hundreds of seconds) to generate current of numerous kA. A pulse-type magnetic field is formed, and eddy currents within the human body are triggered to achieve stimulation. Numerous pulse forms must be generated to initiate eddy currents for stimulating nerves. This study achieved high internal pressure, a high number of repetitions, and rapid switching of elements, and it implemented numerous control techniques via introduction of the half-bridge parallel load method. In addition it applied a quick, accurate, high-efficiency charge/discharge method for transcranial magnetic stimulation to substitute an inexpensive, readily available, commercial frequency condenser for a previously used, expensive, high-frequency condenser. Furthermore, the pulse repetition rate was altered to control energy density, and grafts compact, one-chip processor with simulation to stably control circuit motion and conduct research on motion and output characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.167-174
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• 2017

Based on advances in biotechnology and neuroscience, neuromodulation is poised to gain clinical importance as a treatment modality for psychiatric disorders. In addition to old-established electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), clinicians are expected to understand newer forms of neurostimulation, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Given the growing interest in non-invasive neuromodulation technologies, clinicians may seek sufficient information about neuromodulation to inform their clinical practice. A growing literature suggests that applications of non-invasive neuromodulation have evidence particularly for indications where treatments are currently insufficient, such as drug-resistant depression. However, positive neuromodulation studies require replication, and the precise interactions among stimulation, antidepressant medication, and psychotherapy are unknown. Further studies of long-term safety and the impact on the developing brain are needed. Non-invasive neuromodulatory devices could enable more individualized treatment. However, do-it-yourself (DIY) stimulation kits require a better understanding of the effects of more frequent patterns of stimulation and raise concerns about clinical supervision, regulation, and reimbursement. Wide spread enthusiasm for therapeutic potential of neuromodulation in clinical practice settings should be mitigated by the fact that there are still research gaps and challenges associated with non-invasive neuromodulatory devices.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.129-132
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• 2015

The aim of the present study was to examine whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve gait ability of acute stage stroke patients. This study was conducted with 39 subjects who were diagnosed as having a hemiparesis due to stroke. The experimental group included 20 subjects who underwent repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and the control group included 19 subjects who underwent sham therapy. The stroke patients in the experimental group underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy and rTMS was applied daily to the hotspot of the lesional hemisphere. The stroke patients in the control group underwent sham rTMS and conventional rehabilitation therapy. Participants in both groups received therapy five days per week for four weeks. Temporospatial gait characteristics, such as stance phase, swing phase, step length in affected side, velocity, and cadence, were assessed before and after the four week therapy period. A significant difference was observed in post-treatment gains for the step length in the affected side, velocity, and cadence between the experimental group and control group ( p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups on stance phase and swing phase ( p > 0.05). We conclude that rTMS may be beneficial in improving the effects of acute stage stroke on gait ability.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.113-118
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• 2020

Tinnitus is a prevalent disorder that has no cure currently. Within the last two decades, neuroscientific research has facilitated a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the generation and maintenance of tinnitus, and the brain and nerves have been identified as potential targets for its treatment using non-invasive brain stimulation methods. This article reviews studies on tinnitus patients using transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electrical stimulation, such as transcranial direct current stimulation, alternating current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation as well as transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and bimodal combined auditory and somatosensory stimulation. Although none of these approaches has demonstrated effects that would justify its use in routine treatment, the studies have provided important insights into tinnitus pathophysiology. Moreover bimodal stimulation, which has only been developed recently, has shown promising results in pilot trials and is a candidate for further development into a valuable treatment procedure.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.113-118
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• 2020

Tinnitus is a prevalent disorder that has no cure currently. Within the last two decades, neuroscientific research has facilitated a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the generation and maintenance of tinnitus, and the brain and nerves have been identified as potential targets for its treatment using non-invasive brain stimulation methods. This article reviews studies on tinnitus patients using transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electrical stimulation, such as transcranial direct current stimulation, alternating current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation as well as transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and bimodal combined auditory and somatosensory stimulation. Although none of these approaches has demonstrated effects that would justify its use in routine treatment, the studies have provided important insights into tinnitus pathophysiology. Moreover bimodal stimulation, which has only been developed recently, has shown promising results in pilot trials and is a candidate for further development into a valuable treatment procedure.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.266-272
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• 2016

Transcranial magnetic stimulation devices has been used mainly for diagnostic purposes by measuring the functions of the nervous system rather than for treatment purposes, and has a problem of considerable energy fluctuations per repeated pulse. The majority of strokes are caused by ischemia and result in brain tissue damage, leading to problems of the central nervous system including hemiparesis, dysfunction of language and consciousness, and dysfunction of perception. Control is difficult and the size is large due to the difficulty of digitalizing the energy stored in a capacitor, and there are many heavy devices. In addition, there are many constraints when it is used for a range of purposes such as head and neck diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of nerve palsy, muscle strengthening, treatment of urinary incontinence etc. Output stabilization and minimization of the energy variation rate are required as the level of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device is dramatically improved and the demand for therapeutic purposes increases. This study developed a compact, low cost transcranial magnetic stimulation device with minimal energy variation of a high repeated pulse and output stabilization using a real time capacitor charge discharge voltage. Ischemia was induced in male SD rats by closing off the common carotid artery for 5 minutes, after which the blood was re-perfused. In the cerebrum, the number of PARP reactive cells after 24 hours significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the TMS group compared to the GI group. As a result, TMS showed the greatest effect on necrosis-related PARP immuno-reactive cells 24 hours after ischemia, indicating necrosis inhibition, blocking of neural cell death, and protection of neural cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2021

Several types of pain occur following spinal cord injury (SCI); however, neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most intractable. Invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have been studied in clinical trials to treat chronic NP following SCI. The evidence for invasive stimulation including motor cortex and deep brain stimulation via the use of implanted electrodes to reduce SCI-related NP remains limited, due to the small scale of existing studies. The lower risk of complications associated with non-invasive stimulation, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), provide potentially attractive alternative central neuromodulation techniques. Compared to rTMS, tDCS is technically easier to apply, more affordable, available, and potentially feasible for home use. Accordingly, several new studies have investigated the efficacy of tDCS to treat NP after SCI. In this review, articles relating to the mechanisms, clinical efficacy and safety of tDCS on SCI-related NP were searched from inception to December 2019. Six clinical trials, including five randomized placebo-controlled trials and one prospective controlled trial, were included for evidence specific to the efficacy of tDCS for treating SCI-related NP. The mechanisms of action of tDCS are complex and not fully understood. Several factors including stimulation parameters and individual patient characteristics may affect the efficacy of tDCS intervention. Current evidence to support the efficacy of utilizing tDCS for relieving chronic NP after SCI remains limited. Further strong evidence is needed to confirm the efficacy of tDCS intervention for treating SCI-related NP.