[Effectiveness of a Multidimensional Psychotherapeutic Treatment for Kindergardeners and Preschoolers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]. / Effektivität eines multimodalen psychotherapeutischen Behandlungsprogramms für Kindergarten- und Vorschulkinder mit Traumafolgestörungen.

Despite the increased vulnerability of very young children when confronted with traumatic experiences, and also the massive impact on their development, this topic has been much neglected in German health care research so far; in fact trauma-related treatments are particularly low. Due to this, we are exploring in this pilot study the evaluation of a standard health care system in the community ("Trauma first") for very young children suffering from the impact of traumatic experiences. Our analysis looks at the effectiveness of a cognitivebehavioural treatment for the age group 2-6 suffering from trauma disorders. A pre-post test design without a control group was carried out.The severity of symptoms of 39 children (age: 2-6 years; 46.2 % female) with traumatic experiences was recorded using disorder-specific diagnostics and broad-spectrum diagnostics before and after the therapy treatment, and was both self-assessed and externally assessed. The results show a significant reduction in children's PTSD symptoms, and internalizing behaviour problems, and some regressive behaviours in the caregiver rating, but not in the education rating. The effect sizes were between Cohen's d = 0.89 and d = 2.71. With regard to externalizing behavior and anxiety symptoms, positive tendencies could be found after treatment, but there was no significant decrease. The present pilot study provides initial indications of the effectiveness of the "Trauma First" care programunder ecologically valid conditions in children between the ages of 2 and 6 years. It serves as a preliminary stage of analyzing the psychotherapeutic effectiveness of traumatherapy treatment in young children, which should be followed up by a randomized-controlled study design.

Validation of Microbiological Testing of Tissue Preparations with Different Incubation Temperatures.

INTRODUCTION: The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) provides principles for microbiological testing of tissue preparations. According to the Ph. Eur., tests should be performed at different temperatures for detection of aerobic bacteria and fungi (20-25°C) vs. anaerobic bacteria (30-35°C). Semiautomated systems using blood culture bottles are already widely used and they are adequate for growth detection. Resin-containing bottles and the addition of penicillinase permit testing of culture media containing antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At 3 temperatures (21, 30, and 35°C) cornea culture media with and without dextran (CM II and CM I) and thermal disinfected femoral head medium (FH) were spiked with the 6 reference strains recommended by the Ph. Eur. (additionally: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Cutibacterium acnes). Microbial growth was monitored with the BACTECTM FX unit or visually at 21°C. RESULTS: Growth for all strains was detected with each medium at all 3 temperatures, except for C. acnes at 21°C (all media) and 30°C with FH. C. acnes had the highest times to detection, requiring test durations of 14 days. Microbial growth was faster at 30 and 35°C compared to 21°C. CONCLUSION: The requirements according to the Ph. Eur. for a successful method suitability test could be fulfilled for the semiautomated blood culture bottle system with the BACTECTM FX unit for the media and microorganisms used. In the presented validation study 35°C was shown to be the incubation temperature with the fastest growth, of the majority of the test strains used, and complete detection within 14 days.

Epidemiology of functional shoulder instability: an online survey.

BACKGROUND: Functional shoulder instability (FSI) is defined as glenohumeral instability that is not caused by structural defects but rather by abnormal muscle activation patterns. Patients with FSI are able to dislocate their shoulder at will, either by motion (positional FSI) or even without moving the arm (non-positional FSI). In contrast to structural shoulder instability, little is known about the epidemiology of FSI. The aim of the following study was to further analyse this rare pathology and approximate the prevalence of FSI. METHODS: A self-evaluated and anonymous online survey among 5866 medical students was conducted using the students email list of two german-speaking medical universities (Study Center 1 and Study Center 2). Possibly affected siblings were used as a supplementary group (Siblings Cohort). General sociodemographic data, dislocation mechanism, potential causes, age at the tie of developing first symptoms, general hyperlaxity, previous interventions, and sporting activity were evaluated and analyzed. The total number of email recipients and responses was used to estimate the minimal and maximal prevalence of FSI. RESULTS: Five hundred thirteen questionnaires were completed by the students and subsequently analyzed. In total, there were 32 participants with FSI. The minimal prevalence of FSI was found to be 0,5% and the maximal prevalence 2,6%. In most cases (67%) a positional FSI was reported. The majority of the patients reported that first symptoms developed under the age of 16 years (69%) and without any traumatic event (72%). Most of the affected participants had no therapeutic intervention for their FSI (69%) and performed non-overhead (59%) or overhead sports (28%). CONCLUSION: Functional shoulder instability (FSI) is more common than expected amongst young adults and seems to develop during childhood mostly without specific reason.

Neer Award 2019: Latarjet procedure vs. iliac crest bone graft transfer for treatment of anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The Latarjet and iliac crest bone graft transfer (ICBGT) procedures are competing treatment options for anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss. METHODS: In this bicentric prospective randomized study, 60 patients with anterior shoulder instability and glenoid bone loss were included and randomized to either an open Latarjet or open ICBGT (J-bone graft) procedure. Clinical evaluation was completed before surgery and 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery, including the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index, Rowe score, Subjective Shoulder Value, pain level, satisfaction level, and work and sports impairment, as well as assessment of instability, range of motion, and strength. Adverse events were prospectively recorded. Radiographic evaluation included preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up computed tomography analysis. RESULTS: None of the clinical scores showed a significant difference between the 2 groups (P > .05). Strength and range of motion showed no significant differences except for diminished internal rotation capacity in the Latarjet group at every follow-up time point (P < .05). A single postoperative traumatic subluxation event occurred in 2 ICBGT patients and 1 Latarjet patient. The type and severity of other adverse events were heterogeneous. Donor-site sensory disturbances were observed in 27% of the ICBGT patients. Computed tomography scans revealed a larger glenoid augmentation effect of the ICBGTs; this, however, was attenuated at follow-up. CONCLUSION: The Latarjet and ICBGT procedures for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss showed no difference in clinical and radiologic outcomes except for significantly worse internal rotation capacity in the Latarjet group and frequently noted donor-site sensory disturbances in the ICBGT group.

Glenoid morphology is associated with the development of instability arthropathy.

BACKGROUND: Instability arthropathy (IA) is a major long-term concern in patients with anterior shoulder instability. This study investigated the association of glenoid morphology with the development of IA. METHODS: The study included 118 patients with unilateral anterior shoulder instability and available bilateral computed tomography scans. Instability-specific information was obtained from all patients. The glenoid morphology of the affected shoulder was compared with the nonaffected contralateral side resembling the constitutional preinjury glenoid shape. Both shoulders were evaluated independently by 3 observers to assess the grade of IA according to a Comprehensive Arthropathy Rating (CAR) system. Associations between IA and the glenoid morphology parameters were investigated. RESULTS: The average glenoid retroversion (P < .001), glenoid depth (P < .001), glenoid diameter (P < .001), and the bony shoulder stability ratio (P < .001) of the affected shoulder were significantly reduced compared with the contralateral side due to bony defects in 79.6% of the patients. The CAR of the affected side was significantly higher (P < .001), with more osteophytes (P = .001) and more sclerosis and cysts (P < .001). Differences in CAR (Δ-CAR) correlated positively with the age at the time of the computed tomography scan (P < .001), age at the initial dislocation (P = .001), size of the glenoid defect (P = .005), and the contralateral glenoid depth (P = .011), glenoid diameter (P = .016), and bony shoulder stability (P = .029), and negatively with glenoid retroversion of the affected side (P = .027). CONCLUSION: Development of IA arthropathy is associated not only with the age of the patients but also with morphologic parameters of the glenoid, including glenoid defect size and the constitutional glenoid concavity shape.

Effect of glenoid concavity loss on shoulder stability- a case report in a professional wrestler.

BACKGROUND: Current glenoid defect measurement techniques only quantify bone loss in terms of defect diameter or surface. However, the glenoid depth plays an important role in shoulder stabilization by means of concavity compression. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a professional wrestler who suffered from anterior shoulder instability after sustaining a bony Bankart lesion without loss of glenoid surface area but flattening of the concavity due to medialization of the fragment. The patient's glenoid concavity was reconstructed arthroscopically by reduction and percutaneous screw fixation of the bony fragment along with a capsulo-ligamentous shift. Changes of the glenoid concavity with according alterations in the Bony Shoulder Stability Ratio (BSSR) were analyzed on pre-op, post-op, and follow-up CT scans. Postoperative CT scans revealed a deepened concavity (3.3 mm) and improved BSSR (46.1 %) compared to pre-op scans (0.7 mm; 11.3 %). Follow-up CT scans showed a slight remodeling of the glenoid concavity (3.2 mm) with steady BSSR (44.7 %). CONCLUSION: This case shows that the passive stabilizing effect of the glenoid can be compromised by loss of concavity despite the absence of loss of articular surface. Therefore, addressing the concavity loss and resulting reduction of the BSSR is recommended in these cases. Bony Bankart repair was successful in restoring the BSSR of the patients shoulder as determined by mathematical calculations based on CT scans.

Large variability in degree of constraint of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty liners between different implant systems.

Aims: The liner design is a key determinant of the constraint of a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). The aim of this study was to compare the degree of constraint of rTSA liners between different implant systems. Methods: An implant company's independent 3D shoulder arthroplasty planning software (mediCAD 3D shoulder v. 7.0, module v. 2.1.84.173.43) was used to determine the jump height of standard and constrained liners of different sizes (radius of curvature) of all available companies. The obtained parameters were used to calculate the stability ratio (degree of constraint) and angle of coverage (degree of glenosphere coverage by liner) of the different systems. Measurements were independently performed by two raters, and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to perform a reliability analysis. Additionally, measurements were compared with parameters provided by the companies themselves, when available, to ensure validity of the software-derived measurements. Results: There were variations in jump height between rTSA systems at a given size, resulting in large differences in stability ratio between systems. Standard liners exhibited a stability ratio range from 126% to 214% (mean 158% (SD 23%)) and constrained liners a range from 151% to 479% (mean 245% (SD 76%)). The angle of coverage showed a range from 103° to 130° (mean 115° (SD 7°)) for standard and a range from 113° to 156° (mean 133° (SD 11°)) for constrained liners. Four arthroplasty systems kept the stability ratio of standard liners constant (within 5%) across different sizes, while one system showed slight inconsistencies (within 10%), and ten arthroplasty systems showed large inconsistencies (range 11% to 28%). The stability ratio of constrained liners was consistent across different sizes in two arthroplasty systems and inconsistent in seven systems (range 18% to 106%). Conclusion: Large differences in jump height and resulting degree of constraint of rTSA liners were observed between different implant systems, and in many cases even within the same implant systems. While the immediate clinical effect remains unclear, in theory the degree of constraint of the liner plays an important role for the dislocation and notching risk of a rTSA system.

Shedding light on AT1G29480 of Arabidopsis thaliana-An enigmatic locus restricted to Brassicacean genomes.

A key feature of C4 Kranz anatomy is the presence of an enlarged, photosynthetically highly active bundle sheath whose cells contain large numbers of chloroplasts. With the aim to identify novel candidate regulators of C4 bundle sheath development, we performed an activation tagging screen with Arabidopsis thaliana. The reporter gene used encoded a chloroplast-targeted GFP protein preferentially expressed in the bundle sheath, and the promoter of the C4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene from Flaveria trinervia served as activation tag because of its activity in all chlorenchymatous tissues of A. thaliana. Primary mutants were selected based on their GFP signal intensity, and one stable mutant named kb-1 with a significant increase in GFP fluorescence intensity was obtained. Despite the increased GFP signal, kb-1 showed no alterations to bundle sheath anatomy. The causal locus, AT1G29480, is specific to the Brassicaceae with its second exon being conserved. Overexpression and reconstitution studies confirmed that AT1G29480, and specifically its second exon, were sufficient for the enhanced GFP phenotype, which was not dependent on translation of the locus or its parts into protein. We conclude, therefore, that the AT1G29480 locus enhances the GFP reporter gene activity via an RNA-based mechanism.

Case Report: A Well-Hidden Cause for Myelopathy.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a rare, systemic inflammatory disease and can involve multiple organs, especially the lungs and lymph nodes. The nervous system is affected in <10 percent of patients, which is called neurosarcoidosis. Neurosarcoidosis can cause a multitude of symptoms and can mimic various diseases. A rare manifestation is bone marrow involvement. We describe a case of spinal cord syndrome due to myelopathy that was caused by sarcoidosis of the bone marrow. Case Presentation: A male patient presented to our hospital with incomplete spinal cord syndrome. He suffered from numbness of the legs which had progressed to severe paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed thoracic myelopathy without contrast enhancement. Thorough diagnostics found no explanation for the myelopathy, and the patient was treated symptomatically with high-dose steroids. When the patient developed non-resolving leukopenia, a bone marrow biopsy was performed. The bone marrow showed changes due to sarcoidosis. Further testing revealed myocardial involvement of the sarcoidosis. The patient was started on oral prednisolone and methotrexate. Over the course of time, his symptoms improved, but he still suffers from spastic leg paresis and needs aids to walk farther than 1 kilometre. Conclusion: In patients presenting with neurological deficits of unknown cause, neurosarcoidosis is a potential explanation. If it manifests primarily in the bone marrow, the diagnosis can be easily overlooked. Abnormalities in a full blood count should make the treating physician consider this diagnosis, and a bone marrow biopsy should be performed.

Comparison of Structural Subscapularis Integrity After Latarjet Procedure Versus Iliac Crest Bone Graft Transfer.

BACKGROUND: Although clinical outcome scores are comparable after coracoid transfer procedure (Latarjet) and iliac crest bone graft transfer (ICBGT) for anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss, a significant decrease in internal rotation capacity has been reported for the Latarjet procedure. HYPOTHESIS: The subscapularis (SSC) musculotendinous integrity will be less compromised by ICBGT than by the Latarjet procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans at short-term follow-up of 52 patients (26 Latarjet, 26 ICBGT) previously assessed in a prospective randomized controlled trial. Measurements included the preoperative glenoid defect area and graft area protruding the glenoid rim at follow-up and tendon thickness assessed through SSC and infraspinatus (ISP) ratios. Fatty muscle infiltration was graded according to Goutallier, quantified with muscle attenuation in Hounsfield units, and additionally calculated as percentages. We measured 3 angles to describe rerouting of the SSC musculotendinous unit around the bone grafts. RESULTS: SSC fatty muscle infiltration was 2.0% ± 2.2% in the Latarjet group versus 2.4% ± 2.2% in ICBGT (P = .546) preoperatively and showed significantly higher values in the Latarjet group at follow-up (5.3% ± 4.5% vs 2.3% ± 1.7%; P = .001). In total, 4 patients (15.4%) in the Latarjet group showed a progression from grade 0 to grade 1 at follow-up, whereas no changes in the ICBGT group were noted. The measured rerouting angle of the SSC muscle was significantly increased in the Latarjet group (11.8° ± 2.1°) compared with ICBGT (7.5° ± 1.3°; P < .001) at follow-up, with a significant positive correlation between this angle and fatty muscle infiltration (R = 0.447; P = .008). Ratios of SSC/ISP tendon thickness were 1.03 ± 0.3 in the Latarjet group versus 0.97 ± 0.3 (P = .383) in ICBGT preoperatively and showed significantly lower ratios in the Latarjet group (0.7 ± 0.3 vs 1.0 ± 0.2; P < .001) at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although clinical outcome scores after anterior shoulder stabilization with a Latarjet procedure and ICBGT are comparable, this study shows that the described decline in internal rotation capacity after Latarjet procedure has a radiographic structural correlate in terms of marked thinning and rerouting of the SSC tendon as well as slight fatty degeneration of the muscle.

Anterior shoulder dislocation and concomitant fracture of the greater tuberosity: Clinical and radiological results.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence rates after primary traumatic shoulder dislocation are distinctly high. We hypothesized that concomitant isolated fractures of the greater tuberosity are associated with low rates of persistent instability but decreased range of motion. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2013, 66 consecutive shoulders in 64 patients were treated for primary shoulder dislocation combined with an isolated fracture of the greater tuberosity with either a nonsurgical (48 shoulders, 72.7%) or surgical (18 shoulders, 27.3%) treatment approach. In all, 55 cases (83.3%) were available for clinical follow-up examination after an average of 59.0 ± 20.7 months (range: 25-96 months) and of these, 48 (72.7%) patients consented to radiological evaluation to determine healing and position of the greater tuberosity. RESULTS: The mean range of motion of the affected shoulder was significantly decreased by 9° of elevation (p = 0.016), 11° of abduction (p = 0.048), 9° of external rotation in 0° of abduction (p = 0.005), and 10° of external rotation in 90° of abduction (p = 0.001), compared with the unaffected shoulder. The mean WOSI score was 373 ± 486 points, the mean Constant and Murley score was 75.1 ± 19.4 points, and the mean Rowe score was 83 ± 20 points. Three cases (5.5%) of re-dislocation were reported among the cohort, all of them were due to a relevant trauma. Radiological evaluation revealed anatomically healed fragments in 31 shoulders (65%), dislocation of the fragment in ten shoulders (21%), impaction into the humeral head in four shoulders (8%), and absorption in three shoulders (6%). CONCLUSION: A concomitant isolated fracture of the greater tuberosity leads to low recurrence rates along with a significant decrease in range of motion after primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation.

Clinical and Radiological Long-term Results After Implant-Free, Autologous, Iliac Crest Bone Graft Procedure for the Treatment of Anterior Shoulder Instability.

BACKGROUND: The implant-free, autologous, iliac crest bone graft procedure (J-bone graft) for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability shows low rates of recurrent dislocations and moderate progression of instability arthropathy in the midterm follow-up. PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and radiological long-term results of the J-bone graft procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 46 patients (47 shoulders) with anterior shoulder instability and a relevant bony glenoid defect who received a J-bone graft between 1993 and 2000 and who were previously subjected to a midterm follow-up (mean, 8 years) were included. In total, 34 patients and 35 shoulders (74%) were clinically and radiologically assessed after a mean follow-up of 18 years (range, 15-23 years). Patients were assessed in terms of pain, bilateral active range of motion, and strength; in addition, the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), the Rowe Score, and the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) were obtained. Both an apprehension test and a relocation test were performed. Radiological imaging included bilateral radiographs (true anteroposterior and axillary view) to determine the grade of instability arthropathy. RESULTS: At final follow-up, a mean WOSI score of 295 (range, 0-1765), Rowe Score of 94 (range, 55-100), SSV of 90% (range, 20%-100%), and pain level of 0.5 (range, 0-4) were noted. Slight differences were detected in active range of motion between the affected and the contralateral side: flexion 178° vs 179° ( P = .325), abduction 177° vs 179° ( P = .225), external rotation 63° vs 67° ( P = .048), high external rotation 77° vs 82° ( P = .007), internal rotation 8.8 vs 9.4 points ( P = .017), and high internal rotation 70° vs 74° ( P = .026). No significant strength deficit of the affected side was noticed. In 1 patient, a traumatic redislocation with fracture of the bone graft was observed 6 weeks after index surgery. No further recurrences were found during the follow-up period. Negative apprehension and relocation tests were confirmed in 77% of the shoulders, while 23% were positive. At final follow-up, 9 shoulders showed no signs of instability arthropathy (26%), mild arthropathy was revealed in 22 shoulders (63%), moderate arthropathy was noted in 3 shoulders (9%), and signs of severe arthropathy were found in 1 shoulder (3%) (collective instability arthropathy score, 0.9). The collective instability arthropathy score on the contralateral side was 0.4 ± 0.8 with no instability arthropathy in 24 shoulders (69%), mild arthropathy in 8 shoulders (23%), moderate signs of arthropathy in 2 shoulders (6%), and severe arthropathy in 1 shoulder (3%) at the time of follow-up examination (collective instability arthropathy score, 0.4). The overall difference between affected shoulders and contralateral shoulders was significant ( P = .005). CONCLUSION: The J-bone graft procedure for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability shows excellent results regarding stability and function after a mean follow-up period of 18 years. However, the development of instability arthropathy of the affected shoulder is not prevented by this procedure.

A prospective injury surveillance study in canyoning.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about injuries in canyoning. It was the purpose of this study to determine injury rates, patterns, causes and risk factors in canyoning; and to identify targets for future injury prevention strategies. METHODS: From May to October 2015, 109 participants from 17 different countries were prospectively followed via a monthly e-mail-based questionnaire. RESULTS: During 13,690 h of canyoning, 57 injury-events occurred. The overall injury-rate was 4.2 injuries/1000 h of canyoning. The hand (23%) and lower leg and foot (25%) were most frequently involved. Most of the injuries were mild (n = 27, 49%) and limited to the soft-tissue. There were seven severe injuries (12%) with two lateral malleolar fractures, both necessitating surgery. The majority of injuries were due to material failure (44%) and significantly more injury-events were reported when the tour included rappelling (p = 0.037). Canyoning guides suffered from significantly less injuries compared to beginners and advanced canyoneers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of canyoning injuries are mild. On the other side, roughly one-tenth suffered from severe injury. Canyoning guides are less prone to injury-events and beginners should consider performing tours with experienced guides. Notwithstanding, rappelling was the most common activity associated with an injury and the material used was deemed causative for an injury-event in almost half of all cases. Further improvement in canyoning equipment, frequent equipment service, and instructional courses to ensure adequate employment of equipment might minimize the risk of getting injured.

Long-Term Outcome After Pectoralis Major Transfer for Irreparable Anterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears.

BACKGROUND: Promising short-term outcomes after pectoralis major tendon transfer for the treatment of an irreparable anterosuperior rotator cuff tear have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome. METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with irreparable anterosuperior rotator cuff tears without advanced cuff arthropathy or advanced humeral head migration were treated with a partial subcoracoid pectoralis major tendon transfer between 2004 and 2005. At an average of 10 years (range, 9 to 11 years) postoperatively, 22 patients (82%) with an average age of 62 years (range, 42 to 74 years) at the time of surgery had a long-term follow-up examination that included the pain score, strength and range-of-motion assessment, Constant score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), as well as radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging. The long-term results were compared with the preoperative findings as well as the short-term results that were collected from a previous evaluation. RESULTS: The adjusted Constant score increased from 54% to 87% at the short-term follow-up (p < 0.001) and remained improved at the long-term follow-up, with a mean score of 83% (p = 0.001). While the significant improvement of the pain level at the short-term follow-up was maintained at the time of final follow-up (p = 0.001), the increase in strength returned to the preoperative level (p = 0.178), and the improvement in range of motion diminished again over time despite remaining significantly improved (p = 0.029), especially with regard to internal rotation (p < 0.001). At the long-term follow-up, 77% of the patients were very satisfied with the procedure. A third of the patients had no progression of cuff arthropathy, a third had progression by 1 grade, and a third had progression by ≥2 grades. At the time of final follow-up, 1 patient (5%) had undergone revision surgery to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Pectoralis major tendon transfer for the treatment of irreparable anterosuperior rotator cuff tears results in a significant clinical improvement even 10 years after surgery, especially with respect to pain and internal rotation. Despite long-term radiographic progression of cuff arthropathy, patient satisfaction remains high over time, with a low rate of salvage with reverse shoulder arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Continuous theta-burst stimulation of the primary motor cortex in essential tremor.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether essential tremor (ET) can be altered by suppressing the corticospinal excitability in the primary motor cortex (M1) with transcranial magnetic stimulation. METHODS: 10 Patients with ET and 10 healthy controls underwent transcranial continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) of the left primary motor hand area at 80% (real cTBS) and 30% (control cTBS) of active motor threshold in two separate sessions at least one week apart. Postural tremor was rated clinically and measured accelerometrically before and after cTBS. Corticospinal excitability was assessed by recording the motor evoked potentials (MEP) from the first dorsal interosseous muscle. RESULTS: Real cTBS but not control cTBS reduced the tremor total power assessed with accelerometry. This beneficial effect was subclinical as there were no significant changes in clinical tremor rating after real cTBS. Relative to control cTBS, real cTBS reduced corticospinal excitability in the stimulated primary motor cortex only in healthy controls but not in ET patients. CONCLUSION: Real cTBS has a beneficial effect on ET. Since cTBS did not induce a parallel reduction in corticospinal excitability, this effect was not mediated by a suppression of the corticospinal motor output. SIGNIFICANCE: "Inhibitory" cTBS of M1 leads to a consistent but subclinical reduction in tremor amplitude.