Neuroscience Ireland Conference 2025
Conference Speaker Profile
Dr. Niamh Kennedy
Ulster University,
Northern Ireland
Talk Title
The reliability of using single pulse non-navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in a sub-acute stroke population
Talk Abstract
It has been suggested that single pulse TMS-elicited measurements, such as Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs), could be used as potential biomarkers of recovery post-stroke. If these measures are going to be incorporated into clinical practice and neurorehabilitation, there must be robust investigation of the psychometric properties of the technique — in particular, the test-retest reliability of TMS outcome measures. The existing literature in this area has widespread methodological and interpretative issues, as well as a focus on young healthy participants.
To explore the test-retest reliability of non-navigated TMS measures, a series of studies was conducted to address methodological issues and to investigate the early post-stroke population. These studies included healthy participants across the age span and sub-acute stroke survivors, incorporating a variety of TMS-elicited measurements across a range of upper limb muscles.
This talk will discuss the findings of these studies set in the context of the current evidence base and reflect on considerations for the use of TMS as a clinical biomarker.
Speaker Biography
Niamh completed her BSc in Psychology from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) in 2005. Following this, she was awarded the Helen Ramsey Turtle Scholarship to complete a research internship at Harvard University and Boston University in Neuropsychology. She conducted a PhD at QUB with Professor Richard Carson using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to utilise neuroplasticity in the upper limbs.
After her PhD in 2010, she worked for seven years as a Lecturer in Rehabilitation Neuroscience as a member of the Acquired Brain Injury Alliance at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Since 2017, she has worked as Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, Ulster University, where she is the lead of the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab. Her research interests are in neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation following stroke and brain injury.
She works with stroke survivors to investigate the interaction between motor, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects of long-term stroke recovery. She has a particular interest in the needs of younger stroke survivors and the long-term impact on all stroke survivors.
Niamh uses a variety of research methodologies, including experimental neuroscience, controlled trials and mixed methods. She works collaboratively with Allied Health Professionals, Neuroscientists, Psychologists and the charity sector.
Niamh sits on a number of key stroke committees, including as a Stroke Association Trustee, James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Stroke, UK Stroke Forum Scientific Committee/Steering Group, and as Deputy Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Multidisciplinary Stroke Association (NIMAST).