經顱磁刺激(transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS)及經顱直流電刺激(transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS)是非侵入性的腦刺激工具，可以改變大腦皮質的活性。TMS能產生強而短暫的磁場，穿越頭皮，在大腦皮質內誘發電流，使神經活動受到干擾，進而短暫地影響腦功能。tDCS則是在頭皮施以微弱電流數分鐘，以調節膜電位，進而影響皮質活動，誘發大腦功能的短暫變化。TMS及tDCS已被廣泛使用於認知神經科學的研究，亦被應用於腦傷的研究與治療。本文首先敘述tDCS與TMS的歷史，並有較多篇幅著重於TMS原理及作用。其次，以動作控制之認知歷程(cognitive process)研究為例，説明TMS的優勢，尤其是良好的時間解析度。最後回顧TMS與tDCS應用於單側空間忽略症(hemispheric neglect)之復健治療的理論依據及成效。(物理治療2014;39(1):1-9)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are noninvasive brain stimulation techniques that can alter excitability of the human cortex. In TMS, a brief, intense magnetic field is applied to the scalp. This field induces electrical activity in the cortex, effectively disorganizing neural processing in the region of the cortex and thus disrupting normal functioning for a few milliseconds. The tDCS involves applying weak electrical currents directly through the scalp for several minutes. tDCS has been shown to modulate the resting membrane potential and related cortical activity and induces transient functional changes in the human brain. TMS and tDCS are now established investigative tools in the cognitive neurosciences. It is also finding applications in the study and treatment of brain lesions. We first introduce the history and some technical aspects of tDCS and TMS, with most pages on TMS. Then we describe some empirical studies related to cognitive control of motor in order to demonstrate the advantageness of TMS, especially its high temporal resolution. Finally, we review some therapeutic evidence of TMS and tDCS in the recovery after hemispheric neglect. (FJPT 2014;39(1):1-9)