A 10-day theta burst stimulation intervention facilitates the clinical rehabilitation of patients following an isolated limb fracture: A longitudinal SHAM-controlled pilot study.

Abstract

We investigated if theta burst stimulation (TBS) could enhance recovery by reducing key symptoms when implemented acutely post-fracture in participants with an isolated upper limb fracture (IULF). This was a pilot study with a randomized matched pair, sham-controlled, participant-blind design of a 10-day prolonged continuous TBS protocol. Two main groups were included: I) participants with IULF receiving active TBS; and II) patients with IULF receiving SHAM/placebo. Another group (III) of healthy individuals were the reference group. Disability and pain intensity were collected through questionnaires (DASH & NRA) at three timepoints (baseline; 72 h post-intervention & 3 months post-injury). Group III completed the baseline assessment. 79 participants were enrolled. Individuals in the ACTIVE and SHAM groups had similar baseline measures. For disability, the interaction between Intervention and Time approached significance (F = 2.33; p = 0.11), whereas it was significant for pain (F = 3.42; p = 0.04). At 3 months post-injury, the ACTIVE group reported reduced disability (F = 4.71; p = 0.04) and pain (F = 5.84; p = 0.02) at three months post-injury compared to the SHAM group, with clinical measures from ACTIVE group being like controls. In IULF patients, a 10-day TBS intervention implemented acutely post-trauma had beneficial effects on symptoms of functional recovery and pain at 3 months post-trauma.