Augmented Reality Sensorimotor Training to Treat Chronic Neck

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, non-painful procedure used to relieve chronic pain and promote short-term changes. The abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle of the left motor cortex will be targeted using neuronavigation software. 2000 pulses will be delivered at 10 Hz stimulation. Stimulation will be delivered at 80% of the resting motor threshold obtained from the right APB muscle. The delivery of rTMS requires \~ 11.5 minutes in total.

Sensorimotor training is a non-invasive, non-painful procedure using augmented reality to present virtual objects which cue motor action. Augmented reality allows us to project virtual objects overlaid on the user's actual environment. The sensorimotor training task involves making movements with the head and neck such that a target crosshair presented in the centre of the glasses is moved to a virtual target that is presented in the user's environment. Participants will perform 20 minutes of sensorimotor training. The goal of augmented reality sensorimotor training is to promote goal directed actions using the head and neck.

Sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, non-painful procedure. The abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle of the left motor cortex will be targeted using neuronavigation software. During the sham, participants will hear and experience the clicking from the device but will not be provided with any stimulation. The delivery of sham rTMS requires \~ 11.5 minutes in total.