A standardized motor threshold estimation procedure for transcranial magnetic stimulation research.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce and to test a simple standardized motor threshold (MT) estimation procedure for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) research.


METHODS
A 5-step MT estimation procedure was introduced, and interestimator reliability was tested by comparing MTs as determined by an experienced and a trainee TMS researcher in a double-blind design.


RESULTS
The parametric Pearson correlation between the MTs of the experienced and the MTs of the trainee TMS researcher was 0.95 (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The currently proposed estimation procedure may be helpful in obtaining reliable MT values in experimental and clinical settings.
Schutter
Dennis J L G
DJ
Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Research Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. d.schutter@fss.uu.nl
van Honk
Jack
J
D000465:Algorithms; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards