StimTrack: An open-source software for manual transcranial magnetic stimulation coil positioning

Ambrosini, Emilia, Ferrante, Simona, van de Ruit, Mark, Biguzzi, Stefano, Colombo, Vera, Monticone, Marco, Ferriero, Giorgio, Pedrocchi, Alessandra, Ferrigno, Giancarlo and Grey, Michael J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3216-3272 (2018) StimTrack: An open-source software for manual transcranial magnetic stimulation coil positioning. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 293. 97–104. ISSN 0165-0270

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Abstract

Background: During Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) experiments researchers often use a neuronavigation system to precisely and accurately maintain coil position and orientation. New method: This study aimed to develop and validate an open-source software for TMS coil navigation. StimTrack uses an optical tracker and an intuitive user interface to facilitate the maintenance of position and orientation of any type of coil within and between sessions. Additionally, online access to navigation data is provided, hereby adding e.g. the ability to start or stop the magnetic stimulator depending on the distance to target or the variation of the orientation angles. Results: StimTrack allows repeatable repositioning of the coil within 0.7 mm for translation and <1° for rotation. Stimulus-response (SR) curves obtained from 19 healthy volunteers were used to demonstrate that StimTrack can be effectively used in a typical experiment. An excellent intra and inter-session reliability (ICC > 0.9) was obtained on all parameters computed on SR curves acquired using StimTrack. Comparison with existing method: StimTrack showed a target accuracy similar to that of a commercial neuronavigation system (BrainSight, Rogue Research Inc.). Indeed, small differences both in position (∼0.2 mm) and orientation (<1°) were found between the systems. These differences are negligible given the human error involved in landmarks registration. Conclusions: StimTrack, available as supplementary material, is found to be a good alternative for commercial neuronavigation systems facilitating assessment changes in corticospinal excitability using TMS. StimTrack allows researchers to tailor its functionality to their specific needs, providing added value that benefits experimental procedures and improves data quality.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: transcranial magnetic stimulation,motor evoked potential,coil positioning,motor cortex,repeatability,accuracy,neuronavigation,intra and inter-session reliability,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Rehabilitation
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Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2017 05:08
Last Modified: 13 May 2023 00:17
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/64956
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.09.012

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