Neuromodulation as a Therapeutic Resource to Promote Human Occupation in Occupational Therapy

What Is Neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation is a generic term used to describe all procedures and processes capable of inhibiting, exciting, or blocking the central or peripheral nervous system using physical, chemical, or pharmacological means. It is an advanced technology based on the application of an electromagnetic field or electrical current to modify and modulate the nervous system to increase or inhibit the excitability of cortical, cerebellar, medullary, or peripheral areas related to a specific behavior or skill (Nitsche & Paulus 2000).

It can be classified into:

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  Invasive neuromodulation is performed through the implantation of devices that can modulate specific areas. Examples of these categories: Deep brain stimulation – DBS and motor cortex stimulation – MCS) (Araújo et al., 2011).

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  Non-invasive neuromodulation - (Non-invasive brain stimulation - NIBS), consists mainly of two techniques: Transcranial magnetic stimulation, more commonly known as TMS and the transcranial direct current stimulation – tDCS (Araújo et al., 2011).

NIBS can act synergistically with conventional therapies to enhance the effects of neurological rehabilitation. NIBS are painless and safe, based on the potential to modulate central nervous system excitability and induce plasticity (Groppa et al., 2012; Nitshe et al., 2008; Rossi et al., 2012). NIBS have gained prominence in recent decades due to their versatile application in rehabilitation, neurology, and psychiatry (Groppa et al., 2012). The main NIBS techniques are described below.