Neuromodulation Treatments for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-concussive Symptoms

Purpose of Review Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can result in prolonged post-concussive symptoms (e.g., depression, headaches, cognitive impairment) that are debilitating and difficult to treat. This article reviews recent research on neuromodulation for mTBI. Recent Findings Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is the most studied neuromodulation approach for mTBI (four studies for depression, four for headache, one for cognitive impairment, and two for global post-concussive symptoms) with promising results for post-concussive depression and headache. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has also been evaluated (one study for post-traumatic headache, and three for cognitive impairment), with more mixed results overall. TMS appears to be a potentially promising neuromodulation treatment strategy for post-concussive symptoms; however, integration into clinical practice will require larger sham-controlled randomized trials with longer and more consistent follow-up periods. Future studies should also explore new stimulation protocols, personalized approaches, and the role of placebo effects.

Automated summary

This article reviews recent research on neuromodulation for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) shows promise as a potential treatment strategy for post-concussive symptoms, such as depression and headaches, while transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has more mixed results. Further studies are needed to explore new stimulation protocols, personalized approaches, and the role of placebo effects.