title: Usefulness of transcranial magnetic stimulation to predict the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy poststroke: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the predictive value of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) poststroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blind clinical assessment of 2 groups of stroke patients defined on the basis of absent or preserved motor evoked potentials (MEPs) on the affected side.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stroke rehabilitation center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty stroke patients between the ages of 41 and 85 years, undergoing rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEPs from upper limbs 30 days poststroke, Motricity Index, and scoring of RSD using the Enjalbert Scale 73 days poststroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A good correlation was found between Motricity Index and TMS results (P<.01). Average Enjalbert scores were significantly different between the 2 groups (P=.03). No significant correlation was found between Enjalbert scores and the Motricity Index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no significant relationship was found between upper-limb motor impairment and intensity of RSD 10 weeks after stroke, the TMS responses permitted the early categorization of patients into 2 groups that developed significantly different average Enjalbert scores 1 to 2 months later when this clinical condition was fully developed.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation for Neurologic Diseases, CHU Brugmann, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. bdachy@ulb.ac.be
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Dachy
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Denis
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Deltenre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation