Fundamentals of Transcranial Electric and Magnetic Stimulation Dose: Definition, Selection, and Reporting Practices

Brain Stimulation Journal
2012 October; 5(4): 435-453

By Angel V. Peterchev, Timothy A. Wagner, Pedro C. Miranda, Michael A. Nitsche, Walter Paulus6, Sarah H. Lisanby, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Marom Bikson

Basic principles of EM stimulation
Biological effects of EM brain stimulation
Dose definition and dose selection

Abstract

The growing use of transcranial electric and magnetic (EM) brain stimulation in basic research and in clinical applications necessitates a clear understanding of what constitutes the dose of EM stimulation and how it should be reported. The biological effects of EM stimulation are mediated through an electromagnetic field injected (via electric stimulation) or induced (via magnetic stimulation) in the body. Therefore, transcranial EM stimulation dose ought to be defined by all parameters of the stimulation device that affect the electromagnetic field generated in the body, including the stimulation electrode or coil configuration parameters: shape, size, position, and electrical properties, as well as the electrode or coil current (or voltage) waveform parameters: pulse shape, amplitude, width, polarity, and repetition frequency; duration of and interval between bursts or trains of pulses; total number of pulses; and interval between stimulation sessions and total number of sessions. Knowledge of the electromagnetic field generated in the body may not be sufficient but is necessary to understand the biological effects of EM stimulation. We believe that reporting of EM stimulation dose should be guided by the principle of reproducibility.

Fundamentals of Transcranial Electric and Magnetic Stimulation

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