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Updated: Jan 21, 2026

TMS: Using the Theta-Burst Protocol to Explore Mechanism of Plasticity in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism
Published on: December 28, 2010
Can theta burst stimulation safely influence auditory hearing thresholds in healthy young adults?
Nuno Pinto1, Iris Oliveira2, Joana Ferreira2
1CICS-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã 6200-506, Portugal; Dr. Lopes Dias School of Health - Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-767, Portugal.
Objective:
This TBS sham-controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of intermittent TBS (iTBS) and continuous TBS (cTBS) upon ipsilateral hearing thresholds after stimulation on the left auditory cortex.
Methods:
Sixty healthy adults, aged between 19 and 32 years (median of 23 years), were randomly distributed into three groups and underwent iTBS, cTBS or sham stimulation. Each double-blind experimental session comprised two pure tone audiometric evaluations per subject, before and after stimulation. To assess volunteer safety, a follow-up of at least 48 hours was implemented.
Results:
The iTBS group mean thresholds displayed a tendency to decrease after stimulation, predominantly in the 500 Hz-6000 Hz interval and group comparisons revealed significant differences between the iTBS and sham groups for 500 Hz (p = 0.041) and between the iTBS and cTBS groups for 4000 Hz (p = 0.038). Neither relevant side effects nor any significant hearing threshold impairment after active or sham stimulation were found.
Conclusions:
A single stimulation session led to an effective neuromodulation of the auditory cortex, reflected in lower thresholds when using iTBS.
Significance:
These encouraging results with this safe noninvasive tool suggest that iTBS may have the potential to positively influence hearing thresholds.
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