Synergistic Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Synergistic Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Brain Connectivity and Pain Sensitivity

Participants attend two sessions, one week apart, as part of a randomized crossover study involving either an active or sham intervention. Both sessions follow identical procedures, except for the TMS intervention. Each session includes: three pain pressure threshold measurements, two TMS-EEG recordings, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on a stationary bike, and two resting-state EEG recordings. Repetitive TMS is administered as an active intervention in one session and as a sham in the other, and more.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy men and women aged 18-60 years
• Speak and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Regular use of cannabis, opioids, or other drugs
• Chronic pain (i.e., pain most days within the last three months)
• Current or previous neurologic or musculoskeletal illnesses, psychiatric diagnoses, or other ilnesses (e.g., brain or spinal cord injuries, degenerative neurological disorders, major depression, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, etc.)
• Current regular use of analgesic medication or other medication which may affect the trial (including paracetamol and NSAIDs)
• Recent history of acute pain (i.e., episodic migraine attacks or pain in the lower limbs)
• Abnormally disrupted sleep in 24 hours preceding experiment
• Contraindications to TMS application (history of epilepsy, metal implants in head or jaw, etc.)
• Unable to fulfil the criteria of the "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Adult Safety Screen"
• Presence of implanted hearing aids or metal implants on the face, including permanent makeup or tattoos.
• Lack of ability to cooperate