Subjects with brain diseases are the major conditions of neurorehabilitation. It has brought new hopes to those with neurologic problems with the development of researches in the brain and other neurology. Strategies in the neurorehabilitation are now changing. It has progressed from focusing the improvement of the limbs of patients such as neurodevelopment approaches, functional electrical stimulation, robotic training, and so on, to the brain-orientated such as non-invasive brain stimulation, virtue reality, etc. A new model of neurorehabilitation is now being developed which integrates the methods stimulating the brain with those stimulating the limbs together either simultaneously or combination to modulate the effectiveness of different modalities. The final goals are to further enhance the outcome of rehabilitation.
Non-invasive brain stimulation is a technology that uses magnetic field or electric field to act on the brain to adjust the activity of cerebral cortex neurons. It mainly includes transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation. The principle is to accelerate the induction of neuroplasticity by changing the excitability of the cerebral cortex. The characteristics are noninvasive, safe and that the patient can tolerate it. This article mainly introduces the theoretical foundation and mechanisms of non-invasive brain stimulation, and its application and safety in stroke complications, neuropathic pain and epilepsy, and discusses the commonly used treatment regimens of non-invasive brain stimulation in different neurological diseases, in order to provide possible treatment reference for the rehabilitation of neurological diseases.
In recent years, a rapid development in non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have been witnessed in the field of rehabilitation. These techniques have gained significant attention from researchers in the field of brain dysfunction rehabilitation, holding great promise as a therapeutic modality to alleviate impairments in brain function. However, the efficacy of most NIBS treatment protocols often falls short of patients’ expectations in clinical practice. To address this gap, further research and practical efforts are necessary to delve into the mechanisms underlying NIBS effectiveness, devise strategies for enhancing efficacy, and address safety concerns associated with its application. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research advancements of NIBS in the context of brain dysfunction. Moreover, it offers insights into future development trends, intending to serve as a valuable reference for studies investigating the effectiveness and safety of NIBS, while guiding appropriate clinical practices in rehabilitation.