In Search of an Effective Algorithm for Rhythmic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Neurorehabilitation after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Rehabilitation of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is a topical medical and social issue because this pathology is one of the main causes of mortality and disability in the young working age population [1]. The most common sTBI consequences include motor and cognitive impairment as well as depression of consciousness [2, 3]. Despite significant progress in treatment of the consequences of severe traumatic brain injury, there are no treatment and rehabilitation standards for these patients, and the used rehabilitation measures are not always effective. These circumstances substantiate the need for the development of additional methods of neurotherapy. Over the past decade, transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been increasingly used as neuromodulatory treatment in clinical practice [4-12]. The accumulated experience has shown that transcranial neurostimulation methods require a more individualized approach in terms of both careful selection of patients and choice of exposure parameters. This review is based on an analysis of the most significant publications and recommendations recognized in the scientific community, as well as on reports of domestic and foreign authors presented at dedicated congresses in comparison with experience of our own research on transcranial stimulation. The paper discusses the main problems of using this method in medical practice of sTMI and their possible solutions.