Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Fibromyalgia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Effect of neuronavigated repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on pain, cognition and cortical excitability in fibromyalgia syndrome

BACKGROUND

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a widespread chronic pain condition identified by body-wide pain, fatigue, cognitive fogginess, and sleep issues. In the past decade, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has emerged as a potential management tool.. In the present study, we enquired whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation could modify pain, corticomotor excitability, cognition, and sleep.

METHODS

Study is a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial; wherein after randomizing thirty-four fibromyalgia patients into active or sham therapy (n = 17 each), each participant received repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy. In active therapy was given at 1 Hz for 20 sessions were delivered on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (1200 pulses, 150 pulses per train for 8 trains); while in sham therapy coil was placed at right angle to the scalp with same frequency. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to identify the therapeutic site. Pain intensity, corticomotor excitability, cognition, and sleep were examined before and after therapy.

RESULTS

Baseline demographic and clinical parameters for both active and sham groups were comparable. In comparison to sham, active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation showed significant difference in pain intensity (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.29, large effect) after intervention. Other parameters of pain perception, cognition, and sleep quality also showed a significant improvement after the therapy in active therapy group only, as compared to sham.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation intervention is effective in managing pain alongside cognition and sleep disturbances in patients of fibromyalgia. It may prove to be an important tool in relieving fibromyalgia-associated morbidity.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: Exploring the Necessity of Neuronavigation for Targeting New Brain Regions

Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are among the most prevalent rheumatic conditions worldwide. Nonpharmacological interventions have gained scientific endorsements as the preferred initial treatments before resorting to pharmacological modalities. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is among the most widely researched neuromodulation techniques, though it has not yet been officially recommended for fibromyalgia. This review aims to summarize the current evidence supporting rTMS for treating various fibromyalgia symptoms. Recent findings: High-frequency rTMS directed at the primary motor cortex (M1) has the strongest support in the literature for reducing pain intensity, with new research examining its long-term effectiveness. Nonetheless, some individuals may not respond to M1-targeted rTMS, and symptoms beyond pain can be prominent. Ongoing research aims to improve the efficacy of rTMS by exploring new brain targets, using innovative stimulation parameters, incorporating neuronavigation, and better identifying patients likely to benefit from this treatment. Summary: Noninvasive brain stimulation with rTMS over M1 is a well-tolerated treatment that can improve chronic pain and overall quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. However, the data are highly heterogeneous, with a limited level of evidence, posing a significant challenge to the inclusion of rTMS in official treatment guidelines. Research is ongoing to enhance its effectiveness, with future perspectives exploring its impact by targeting additional areas of the brain such as the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobe, as well as selecting the right patients who could benefit from this treatment.

Shared comorbidity of depression, migraine, insomnia, and fibromyalgia in a population-based sample

BACKGROUND

Depression, migraine, insomnia, and fibromyalgia are reportedly comorbidities. Nevertheless, no study has evaluated the comorbidity of all four of these disorders. This study aimed to investigate the comorbidity of these four disorders.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analyses were performed using data of the Circannual Change in Headache and Sleep study, an online nationwide population-based survey. Validated questionnaires were used to diagnose the disorders and measure quality of life. The change of clinical characteristics by addition of any comorbidity was analyzed using the Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of depression, migraine, insomnia, and fibromyalgia were 7.2 %, 5.6 %, 13.3 %, and 5.8 %, respectively. Among the 3030 included participants, 494 (16.3 %), 164 (5.4 %), 40 (1.3 %), and 6 (0.2 %) had one, two, three, and four of these conditions, respectively. The number of headache days per 30 days (Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test, p = 0.011) and migraine-related disability (migraine disability assessment score, p = 0.021) increased with an increase in the number of comorbidities but not with the intensity of headache (visual analog scale, p = 0.225) among participants with migraine. The severity of insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index, p < 0.001) and fibromyalgia (fibromyalgia severity score, p = 0.002) increased with additional comorbidities; however, depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, p = 0.384) did not show such an increase.

LIMITATIONS

The diagnoses of conditions were based on self-reported questionnaires.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings confirmed significant comorbidity between depression, migraine, insomnia, and fibromyalgia. Health professionals should be aware of the probable comorbidity of depression, migraine, insomnia, and fibromyalgia when caring for individuals with any of these four disorders.

Efficacy of neuromodulation on the treatment of fibromyalgia: A network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Several types of neuromodulation have been investigated for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but they show varied efficacy on pain, functioning, comorbid depression and comorbid anxiety. Whether some types of neuromodulation or some factors are associated with a better response also awaits clarification.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of neuromodulation in patients with fibromyalgia. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PsycINFO before March 2022. We employed a frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Forty trials involving 1541 participants were included. Compared with sham control interventions, several types of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), and high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) were associated with significant reduction of pain, depression, anxiety, and improvement in functioning. Many significantly effective treatment options involve stimulation of the primary motor cortex or dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that several types of rTMS, tDCS and tRNS may have the potential to be applied for clinical purposes.

Effects of Repetitive-Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: An Umbrella and Mapping Review

BACKGROUND

The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of repetitive-transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with fibromyalgia (FMS).

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, PEDro, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Methodological quality was analyzed using the AMSTAR and ROBIS scales, and the strength of evidence was established according to the guidelines advisory committee grading criteria. A total of 11 systematic reviews were included. The assessed variables were pain intensity, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and general health.

RESULTS

Regarding pain intensity, it seems that high-frequency rTMS significantly reduces pain intensity at a 1-month follow-up when the primary motor cortex (M1) is stimulated. However, we cannot robustly conclude the same for low-frequency protocols. When we look at the combination of high and low-frequency rTMS, there seems to be a significant effect on pain intensity up to 1-week post-intervention, but after that point of follow-up, the results are controversial. Regarding depressive symptoms and anxiety, results showed that the effects of rTMS are almost non-existent. Finally, in regard to general health, results showed that rTMS caused significant post-intervention effects in a robust way. However, the results of the follow-ups are contradictory.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained showed that high-frequency rTMS applied on the M1 showed some effect on the variable of pain intensity with a limited quality of evidence. Overall, rTMS was shown to be effective in improving general health with moderate quality of evidence. Finally, rTMS was not shown to be effective in managing depressive symptoms and anxiety with a limited to moderate quality of evidence. PROSPERO number: This review was previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023391032).

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of major depressive disorder and comorbid chronic pain: response rates and neurophysiologic biomarkers

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and chronic pain are highly comorbid, and pain symptoms are associated with a poorer response to antidepressant medication treatment. It is unclear whether comorbid pain also is associated with a poorer response to treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

METHODS

162 MDD subjects received 30 sessions of 10 Hz rTMS treatment administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) with depression and pain symptoms measured before and after treatment. For a subset of 96 patients, a resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded at baseline. Clinical outcome was compared between subjects with and without comorbid pain, and the relationships among outcome, pain severity, individual peak alpha frequency (PAF), and PAF phase-coherence in the EEG were examined.

RESULTS

64.8% of all subjects reported pain, and both depressive and pain symptoms were significantly reduced after rTMS treatment, irrespective of age or gender. Patients with severe pain were 27% less likely to respond to MDD treatment than pain-free individuals. PAF was positively associated with pain severity. PAF phase-coherence in the somatosensory and default mode networks was significantly lower for MDD subjects with pain who failed to respond to MDD treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain symptoms improved after rTMS to left DLPFC in MDD irrespective of age or gender, although the presence of chronic pain symptoms reduced the likelihood of treatment response. Individual PAF and baseline phase-coherence in the sensorimotor and midline regions may represent predictors of rTMS treatment outcome in comorbid pain and MDD.

Efficacy of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation at 10 Hz in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review was to systematically assess the effectiveness of 10-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in fibromyalgia.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Ovid databases as of November 6, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

The inclusion criteria for this review were randomized controlled trials of 10-Hz rTMS for fibromyalgia, exploring the effects of 10-Hz rTMS on pain, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extraction was performed independently by 2 evaluators according to predefined criteria, and the quality of the included literature was assessed using the Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Tool. The measurement outcomes include visual analog scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and so on.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 488 articles were screened, and the final 7 selected high-quality articles with 217 patients met our inclusion criteria. Analysis of the results showed that high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation at 10 Hz was significantly associated with reduced pain compared with sham stimulation in controls (standardized mean difference [SMD]=-0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.12 to -0.33; P<.001; I²=46%) and was able to improve quality of life (SMD=-0.70; 95% CI, -1.00 to -0.40; P<.001; I²=15%) but not improve depression (SMD=-0.23; 95% CI, -0.50 to 0.05; P=.11; I²=33%). In addition, a subgroup analysis of pain conducted based on stimulation at the primary motor cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed no significant difference (SMD=-0.72; 95% CI, -1.12 to -0.33; P=.10; I²=62%).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, 10-Hz rTMS has a significant effect on analgesia and improved quality of life in patients with FMS but did not improve depression.

The effect of theta burst stimulation over the primary motor cortex on experimental hamstring pain: A randomised, controlled study

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) is an emerging technique that may have utility in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. However, previous work exploring the analgesic effects of noninvasive brain stimulation has been limited largely to the arm or hand, despite 80% of acute musculoskeletal injuries occurring in the lower limb. This is a pertinent point, given the functional and neurophysiological differences between upper and lower limb musculature, as well as evidence suggesting that reorganization of corticomotor pathways is region-specific. This study investigated the effect of excitatory TBS on pain, function, and corticomotor organization during experimentally induced lower limb pain. Twenty-eight healthy participants attended 2 experimental sessions. On Day 0, participants completed 10 sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions of the right hamstring muscles to induce delayed onset muscle soreness. Four consecutive blocks of either active or sham TBS were delivered on Day 2. Measures of mechanical sensitivity, pain (muscle soreness, pain intensity, pain area) function (single-leg hop distance, maximum voluntary isometric contraction, lower extremity functional scale), and corticomotor organization were recorded before and after TBS on Day 2. Pain and function were also assessed daily from Days 2 to 10. Active TBS reduced mechanical sensitivity compared to sham stimulation (P = .01). Corticomotor organization did not differ between groups, suggesting that improvements in mechanical sensitivity were not mediated by changes in M1. Subjective reports of pain intensity and function did not change following active TBS, contrasting previous reports in studies of the upper limb. PERSPECTIVE: M1 TBS reduces mechanical sensitivity associated with experimentally induced hamstring pain. Though further work is needed, these findings may hold important implications for those seeking to expedite recovery or reduce muscle sensitivity following hamstring injury.

Comparative efficacy and acceptability of non-pharmacological interventions in fibromyalgia: Protocol for a network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Although several non-pharmacological interventions have been tested in the management of Fibromyalgia (FM), there is little consensus regarding the best options for the treatment of this health condition. The purpose of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to investigate the comparative efficacy and acceptability of non-pharmacological interventions for FM, in order to assist clinical decision making through a ranking of interventions in relation to the most important clinical outcomes in these patients.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will perform a systematic search to identify randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological interventions endorsed in guidelines and systematic reviews. Information sources searched will include major bibliographic databases without language or date restrictions (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO and PEDro). Our primary outcomes will be pain intensity, patient-reported quality of life (QoL), and acceptability of treatment will be our secondary outcome. Risk of bias of the included trials will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB2). For each pairwise comparison between the different interventions, we will present mean differences (MDs) for pain intensity and QoL outcomes and Relative Risks (RRs) for acceptability, both with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Initially, standard pairwise meta-analyses will be performed using a DerSimonian-Laird random effects model for all comparisons with at least two trials and then we will perform a frequentist NMA using the methodology of multivariate meta-analysis assuming a common heterogeneity parameter, using the mvmeta command and network suite in STATA. In the NMA, two different types of control group, such as placebo/sham and no intervention/waiting list will be combined as one node called "Control". The competing interventions will be ranked using the P-score, which is the frequentist analogue of surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) for the outcomes of interest at immediate- (intervention duration of up to 2 weeks), short- (over 2 weeks up to 12 weeks) and long-terms (over 12 weeks). The confidence in the results from NMA will be assessed using the Confidence in Network Meta-analysis (CINeMA) framework.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This work synthesises evidence from previously published studies and does not require ethics review or approval. A manuscript describing the findings will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

REGISTRATION

OSF (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/7MS25) and registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020216374).

Exploring patient perceptions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, is a novel avenue for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Despite evidence for the effectiveness of rTMS in chronic pain conditions, the clinical uptake of rTMS remains limited and little is known regarding patient perceptions of this therapeutic technique.

DESIGN

Qualitative study using a phenomenological approach, reported in accordance with the Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research checklist.

SETTING

Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifteen participants were recruited from the community and completed the study. All participants had a diagnosis of chronic musculoskeletal pain, a history of seeking treatment and no prior experience with rTMS.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

All participants completed a semistructured interview to explore overall knowledge, preconceived concerns and attitudes regarding rTMS as a treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

The key themes that influenced an individual's hypothetical acceptance of rTMS for chronic pain management were (1) the individual's initial impression of the equipment appearance, (2) the participant's individual history and familiarity with technology, (3) the accessibility and availability of rTMS and (4) knowledge regarding pain physiology and rTMS.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first qualitative study to explore the perception of rTMS as a treatment among people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. RTMS appears to be accepted as a treatment option among individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Developing targeted strategies to address accessibility, funding support and medical endorsements may encourage use of rTMS in a clinical chronic pain setting.

Exploring Patient Perceptions of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize and critically appraise literature exploring patient perceptions regarding the therapeutic use of noninvasive brain stimulation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic search of CINHAL, PUBMED, Web of Science, and Medline was performed. Reference lists of relevant articles were also screened. Studies exploring participant perceptions regarding the therapeutic use of noninvasive brain stimulation were eligible for inclusion. Perceptions were divided into three domains: knowledge, experience, and attitudes. Noninvasive brain stimulation was defined as any neuromodulation technique that alters brain activity but does not require invasive methods such as surgery. No restrictions were placed upon study design or participant population. Two reviewers performed data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Data relating to methodological characteristics, participant demographics, type of noninvasive brain stimulation, and nature of perceptions (knowledge, experience, or attitudes) were extracted.

RESULTS

Four studies comprising data from 163 participants met the inclusion criteria. All studies investigated perceptions of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in psychiatric populations. Most participants perceived rTMS to be safe and beneficial, demonstrated low levels of fear, and were willing to recommend the intervention to others. No studies were found investigating patient perception of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

CONCLUSION

The findings from this review suggest that rTMS is well accepted as a therapeutic treatment among psychiatric populations, providing support for its clinical utility. Future work is needed to determine if similar findings exist for other conditions (eg, chronic pain) and for other therapeutic forms of brain stimulation (eg, tDCS).

Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Chronic Pain: State of the Art and Future Directions

As a technique that can guide brain plasticity, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has the potential to improve the treatment of chronic pain (CP) because it can interfere with ongoing brain neural activity to regulate specific neural networks related to pain management. Treatments of CP with various forms of NIBS, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), using new parameters of stimulation have achieved encouraging results. Evidence of moderate quality indicates that high-frequency rTMS of the primary motor cortex has a clear effect on neuropathic pain (NP) and fibromyalgia. However, evidence on its effectiveness regarding pain relief in other CP conditions is conflicting. Concerning tDCS, evidence of low quality supports its benefit for CP treatment. However, evidence suggesting that it exerts a small treatment effect on NP and headaches is also conflicting. In this paper, we describe the underlying principles behind these commonly used stimulation techniques; and summarize the results of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Future research should focus on a better evaluation of the short-term and long-term effectiveness of all NIBS techniques and whether they decrease healthcare use, as well as on the refinement of selection criteria.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Fibromyalgia: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in fibromyalgia on the domains of pain, depression, anxiety and quality of life.

METHOD

Publications were searched with the keywords "repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation" and "fibromyalgia" for randomized controlled trials that compare rTMS with sham stimulation for treating pain, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Trials available until April 2021 were searched through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The postintervention scores after 4 weeks for pain, depression, anxiety, and quality of life were extracted to compare the effects of rTMS and sham. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the stimulation site.

RESULTS

From 265 screened articles, 11 eligible randomized controlled trials involving 303 patients were included. The results show that rTMS is more effective than sham stimulation in improving pain (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.62 to -0.08; p = .01) and quality of life (SMD = -0.51; 95% CI = -0.78 to -0.23; p = .0003). It is not more effective than sham stimulation for depression, and anxiety. After sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis revealed that primary motor cortex stimulation was more effective than sham for improving pain (SMD = -0.57; 95% CI = -0.91 to -0.23; p = <0.01). Neither dorsolateral prefrontal cortex nor primary motor cortex stimulation was more effective than sham in improving depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

rTMS is more effective than sham in improving pain and quality of life, but it does not demonstrate reduction in depression or anxiety.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the Primary Motor Cortex of Individuals with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which is recommended for the improvement of some pain-related symptoms and for antidepressant treatment, on the primary motor cortex (M1) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). We searched for studies comparing rTMS and sham rTMS in the M1 of FM patients. Pain intensity, quality of life, health status, and depression were compared with or without rTMS for at least 10 sessions. We searched four databases. Quality assessment and quantitative analysis were performed using RevMan 5.4. After screening, five randomized controlled trials of 170 patients with FM were included in the analysis. As a result of the meta-analysis of rTMS on the M1 of individuals with FM, high-frequency rTMS resulted in a significant improvement on quality of life (MD = −2.50; 95% CI: −3.99 to −1.01) compared with sham rTMS. On the other hand, low-frequency rTMS resulted in a significant improvement on health status (MD = 15.02; 95% CI: 5.59 to 24.45). The application of rTMS to the M1 is proposed as an adjunctive measure in the treatment of individuals with FM. Because rTMS has various effects depending on each application site, it is necessary to classify sites or set frequencies as variables.

Clinical Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Motor Cortex Are Associated With Changes in Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome

In this double-blinded, sham-controlled, counterbalanced, and crossover study, we investigated the potential neuroplasticity underlying pain relief and daily function improvements following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex (M1-rTMS) in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. Specifically, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine changes in brain structural and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) that correlated with improvements in FMS symptomology following M1-rTMS. Twenty-seven women with FMS underwent real and sham treatment series, each consisting of 10 daily treatments of 10Hz M1-rTMS over 2 weeks, with a washout period in between. Before and after each series, participants underwent anatomical and resting-state functional MRI scans and questionnaire assessments of FMS-related clinical pain and functional and psychological burdens. The expected reductions in FMS-related symptomology following M1-rTMS occurred with the real treatment only and correlated with rsFC changes in brain areas associated with pain processing and modulation. Specifically, between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the M1 (t = -5.54, corrected P = .002), the amygdala and the posterior insula (t = 5.81, corrected P = .044), and the anterior and posterior insula (t = 6.01, corrected P = .029). Neither treatment significantly changed brain structure. Therefore, we provide the first evidence of an association between the acute clinical effects of M1-rTMS in FMS and functional alterations of brain areas that have a significant role in the experience of chronic pain. Structural changes could potentially occur over a more extended treatment period. PERSPECTIVE: We show that the neurophysiological mechanism of the improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms following active, but not sham, rTMS applied to M1 involves changes in resting-state functional connectivity in sensory, affective and cognitive pain processing brain areas, thus substantiating the essence of fibromyalgia syndrome as a treatable brain-based disorder.

Efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia

Purpose of Review

Fibromyalgia is a highly prevalent chronic pain syndrome that affects up to 4% of the population and causes significant morbidity and disability, with an increasing associated cost. Though many approaches for treatment have been tested, therapy regimens are still elusive, and efficacy is limited. This review summarizes the background of fibromyalgia and acupuncture and reviews the latest and seminal literature discussing the application of acupuncture in fibromyalgia.

Recent Findings

Fibromyalgia is hard to treat, owing both to its chronicity and poorly understood pathophysiology and etiology. Current treatments target symptoms primarily, and few attempt to address the source. Efficacious treatment requires long-term treatment by a multidisciplinary team. Though several treatments exist, they still fall short with a substantial number of patients. Acupuncture, a form of integrative medicine, has been a part of traditional Chinese medication for generations. Evidence shows that it effectively treats different kinds of pain conditions, including migraines and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Recent studies showed evidence to support its use in fibromyalgia. Clinical trials studying acupuncture in fibromyalgia have shown improvement in pain, quality of sleep, and quality of life, though the quality of evidence is mainly low to medium. Several studies were not able to provide evidence to support real over sham acupuncture. Weighing the overall evidence paints a picture of mixed results between equivocal results to positive. In analyzing these results, one must also consider publication bias supporting the dissemination of positive results.

Summary

An increasing number of studies support the utilization of acupuncture for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Though no head-to-head comparison was able to show the superiority of acupuncture to other therapies, mounting evidence supports its use as part of multimodal approaches to treatment with additive efficacy to traditional therapy. Further research will likely provide data on effective regimens and combination therapies.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and treatment

OBJECTIVE

To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and "formal evaluation" or "reasoned judgment" qualitative analysis techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers' education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.

Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

This article aimed to investigate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in fibromyalgia. The PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published through 14 August 2021. We enrolled only randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used for quality assessment. Outcomes were analyzed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs. The beta coefficient and p value were adopted for meta-regression. We included 18 studies comprising 643 participants. A significant reduction in disease influence, as measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, was observed (SMD, −0.700, 95% CI, −1.173 to −0.228), and the reduction was larger in older patients (β = −0.1327, p = 0.008). The effect persisted at least two weeks after the final treatment session (SMD, −0.784, 95% CI, −1.136 to −0.432). Reductions in pain, depression, and anxiety were discovered, which persisted for at least two weeks after the last intervention. The effects on pain and depression remained significant up to one and a half months after the final session. No serious adverse events were reported by the included articles. In conclusion, our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that rTMS is safe and effective for managing multiple domains of fibromyalgia-related symptoms and older patients may have a stronger treatment effect. Larger randomized controlled trials with sufficient male populations are warranted to confirm our findings, detect rare adverse events, and determine the optimal stimulation parameters.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for fibromyalgia patients: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood pain syndrome. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy and is commonly applied for the management of fibromyalgia. However, controversy regarding its efficacy remains. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for fibromyalgia syndrome.

METHOD

Four medical databases and one physiotherapy database were screened for randomized controlled trials. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety score, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Short Form-36 general health survey mental score, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were set as outcome measures.

RESULTS

Analysis of 14 studies and 433 participants indicated that rTMS exerted more favorable effects on the NPRS than sham rTMS after treatment (standardized mean difference = -0.49, 95% confidence interval = -0.86 to - 0.13, P = 0.008, I2 = 68%) and FIQ (standardized mean difference = -0.50, 95% confidence interval = -0.75 to - 0.25, P = 0.0001, I2 = 28%). However, the BDI, FSS, PCS, mood index, and HADS scores showed no significant difference compared with sham rTMS after treatment. The mean methodological quality of included studies was an acceptable score of 8.5 based on the PEDro scale, suggesting the validity of our conclusions.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that rTMS relieved pain and enhanced quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia; however, it did not improve anxiety, depression, and other symptoms based on current reports.

Interventions for Depressive Symptoms in People Living with Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses

OBJECTIVE

This review investigated the effectiveness of clinical interventions on depressive symptoms in people with all types of chronic pain.

METHODS

We searched seven electronic databases and reference lists on September 15, 2020, and included English-language, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of trials that examined the effects of clinical interventions on depressive outcomes in chronic pain. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted, and assessed the risk of bias. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019131871.

RESULTS

Eighty-three reviews were selected and included 182 meta-analyses. Data were summarized visually and narratively using standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals as the primary outcome of interest. A large proportion of meta-analyses investigated fibromyalgia or mixed chronic pain, and psychological interventions were most commonly evaluated. Acceptance and commitment therapy for general chronic pain, and fluoxetine and web-based psychotherapy for fibromyalgia showed the most robust effects and can be prioritized for implementation in clinical practice. Exercise for arthritis, pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain, self-regulatory psychotherapy for axial pain, and music therapy for general chronic pain showed large, significant effects, but estimates were derived from low- or critically low-quality reviews.

CONCLUSIONS

No single intervention type demonstrated substantial superiority across multiple pain populations. Other dimensions beyond efficacy, such as accessibility, safety, cost, patient preference, and efficacy for non-depressive outcomes should also be weighed when considering treatment options. Further effectiveness research is required for common pain types such as arthritis and axial pain, and common interventions such as opioids, anti-inflammatories and acupuncture.

The mapping of cortical activation by near-infrared spectroscopy might be a biomarker related to the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms

The delta value of oxyhemoglobin (Δ-HbO) determined by functional near-infrared spectroscopy at prefrontal cortex (PFC) and motor cortex (MC) based on primary (25 °C) and secondary (5 °C) thermal stimuli presented a larger peak latency at left MC in fibromyalgia than in controls. The difference between HbO concentration 15 s after the thermal stimuli ending and HbO concentration before the thermal stimuli onset (Δ-HbO*) at left PFC increased 47.82% in fibromyalgia and 76.66% in controls. This value had satisfactory discriminatory properties to differentiate cortical activation in fibromyalgia versus controls. A receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis showed the Δ-HbO* cutoffs of − 0.175 at left PFC and − 0.205 at right PFC offer sensitivity and specificity of at least 80% in screening fibromyalgia from controls. In fibromyalgia, a ROC analysis showed that these cutoffs could discriminate those with higher disability due to pain and more severe central sensitization symptoms (CSS). The ROC with the best discriminatory profile was the CSS score with the Δ-HbO* at left PFC (area under the curve = 0.82, 95% confidence interval = 0.61–100). These results indicate that cortical activation based on Δ-HbO* at left PFC might be a sensitive marker to identify fibromyalgia subjects with more severe clinical symptoms.

Noninvasive motor cortex stimulation effects on quantitative sensory testing in healthy and chronic pain subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

One of the potential mechanisms of motor cortex stimulation by noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) effects on pain is through the restoration of the defective endogenous inhibitory pain pathways. However, there are still limited data on quantitative sensory testing (QST), including conditioned pain modulation (CPM), supporting this mechanism. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of noninvasive motor cortex stimulation on pain perception as indexed by changes in QST outcomes. Database searches were conducted until July 2019 to include randomized controlled trials that performed sham-controlled NIBS on the motor cortex in either the healthy and/or pain population and assessed the QST and CPM. Quality of studies was assessed through the Cochrane tool. We calculated the Hedge's effect sizes of QST and CPM outcomes and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and performed random-effects meta-analyses. Thirty-eight studies were included (1178 participants). We found significant increases of pain threshold in healthy subjects (ES = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.02-0.31, I2 = 22.2%) and pain populations (ES = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.15-0.80, I2 = 68.8%), and homogeneous higher CPM effect (pain ratings reduction) in healthy subjects (ES = -0.39, 95% CI = -0.64 to -0.14, I2 = 17%) and pain populations (ES = -0.35, 95% CI = -0.60 to -0.11, I2 = 0%) in the active NIBS group compared with sham. These results support the idea of top-down modulation of endogenous pain pathways by motor cortex stimulation as one of the main mechanisms of pain reduction assessed by QST, which could be a useful predictive and prognostic biomarker for chronic pain personalized treatment with NIBS.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and Treatment

OBJECTIVE

To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and "formal evaluation" or "reasoned judgment" qualitative analysis techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers' education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.

Effects of High-Frequency Neuronavigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 10-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on pain in fibromyalgia. Secondary aims were to determine its effects on stiffness, fatigue, quality of life, depression/anxiety, and cognitive functions.

DESIGN

Twenty participants were randomized into two groups. Group A received 10-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and group B received sham stimulation. Visual analog scale for pain, visual analog scale-stiffness, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and Fatigue Severity Scale were assessed at the baseline, 2nd, and 6th weeks, whereas Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and Addenbrooke's cognitive examination were assessed at the baseline and 6th week.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in visual analog scale-pain and Fatigue Severity Scale within and between groups over time (P > 0.05). In group A, significant improvement was found in visual analog scale-stiffness and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire at the 2nd week in comparison to the baseline (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was detected in comparison with group B. There was no significant change in Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale scores between and within groups. All cognitive measures were similar in terms of differences from baseline between the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex did not show any significant beneficial effect on pain, stiffness, fatigue, quality of life, mood, and cognitive state over sham stimulation.

Fibromyalgia: Recent Advances in Diagnosis, Classification, Pharmacotherapy and Alternative Remedies

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome that does not present a well-defined underlying organic disease. FM is a condition which has been associated with diseases such as infections, diabetes, psychiatric or neurological disorders, rheumatic pathologies, and is a disorder that rather than diagnosis of exclusion requires positive diagnosis. A multidimensional approach is required for the management of FM, including pain management, pharmacological therapies, behavioral therapy, patient education, and exercise. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in classification criteria and diagnostic criteria for FM as well as to explore pharmacotherapy and the use of alternative therapies including the use of plant bioactive molecules.

A Simple Pattern of Movement is not Able to Inhibit Experimental Pain in FM Patients and Controls: an sLORETA Study

Motor cortex activation seems to induce an analgesic effect on pain that would be different between patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and control subjects. This study was conducted to analyze the changes of the laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) induced during a finger tapping task in the FM patients and the controls employing a multi-dipolar analysis according to Standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) method. The LEPs from 38 FM patients and 21 controls were analyzed. The LEPs were recorded while subjects performed a slow and a fast finger tapping task. We confirmed that the difference between N1, N2 and P2 wave amplitudes between conditions and groups was not significant. In control subjects, the fast finger tapping task induced a modification of cortical source activation in the main areas processing laser stimulation from the moving hand independently from the movement speed. In summary, a simple and repetitive movement is not able to induce consistent inhibition of experimental pain evoked by the moving and the not moving hand in each group. It could interfere with LEP sources within the limbic area at least in control subjects, without inhibit cortical responses or explain the different pattern of motor and pain interaction in FM patients.

Mutual interaction between motor cortex activation and pain in fibromyalgia: EEG-fNIRS study

BACKGROUND

Experimental and clinical studies suggested an analgesic effect on chronic pain by motor cortex activation. The present study explored the complex mechanisms of interaction between motor and pain during performing the slow and fast finger tapping task alone and in concomitant with nociceptive laser stimulation.

METHOD

The participants were 38 patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and 21 healthy subjects. We used a simultaneous multimodal method of laser-evoked potentials and functional near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate metabolic and electrical changes during the finger tapping task and concomitant noxious laser stimulation. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy is a portable and optical method to detect cortical metabolic changes. Laser-evoked potentials are a suitable tool to study the nociceptive pathways function.

RESULTS

We found a reduced tone of cortical motor areas in patients with FM compared to controls, especially during the fast finger tapping task. FM patients presented a slow motor performance in all the experimental conditions, requesting rapid movements. The amplitude of laser evoked potentials was different between patients and controls, in each experimental condition, as patients showed smaller evoked responses compared to controls. Concurrent phasic pain stimulation had a low effect on motor cortex metabolism in both groups nor motor activity changed laser evoked responses in a relevant way. There were no correlations between Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FNIRS) and clinical features in FM patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that a low tone of motor cortex activation could be an intrinsic feature in FM and generate a scarce modulation on pain condition. A simple and repetitive movement such as that of the finger tapping task seems inefficacious in modulating cortical responses to pain both in patients and controls. The complex mechanisms of interaction between networks involved in pain control and motor function require further studies for the important role they play in structuring rehabilitation strategies.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Multicomponent Therapy in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic painful condition partly due to alterations in pain modulation by the central nervous system. Multicomponent therapy (MT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have both been reported as pain modulators in patients with FM. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of rTMS on pain with a combination of MT and rTMS versus MT alone.

METHODS

Thirty-nine FM patients with visual analog scale (VAS) results for pain of ≥40 mm were randomized to active or sham rTMS (high-frequency, primary motor cortex M1) plus 12 weeks of MT (3 sessions per week combining aerobic training, pool-based exercises, and relaxation). Repetitive TMS was started 2 weeks prior to MT and maintained until the end of the program (week 14). Assessments were achieved at baseline, at week 14, and at 6 months (week 40) after completion of the program. The main criterion was pain reduction, as assessed by the weekly mean self-reported level of pain (reported daily). Secondary outcomes were cardiorespiratory fitness (graded maximal exercise test), cardiac autonomic adaptations, and FM impact (using scales for FM impact, depression, sleep efficiency, and pain catastrophizing).

RESULTS

The reduction of the weekly mean of pain reported daily did not differ significantly between groups (using repeated measures of analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Two-way ANOVAs showed that pain VAS results, as well as cardiorespiratory fitness, quality of life, depression, and catastrophizing, improved significantly at week 14 and remained stable until week 40. Neither cardiac autonomic adaptations nor sleep efficiency changed significantly.

CONCLUSION

Repetitive TMS did not reduce pain in patients with FM who followed the MT program.

[Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the diagnostic and treatment of pain syndromes in children and adults]

The authors review the literature and own data concerning therapeutic use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in children and adult patients with pain syndromes of different origins. TMS may act as a tool to excite or inhibit neuroplasticity in the central nervous system, which depends of the therapeutic regime used. TMS induces neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, rhythmic TMS may cause long-lasting after-effects, including pain inhibitory effect. A decrease in the threshold and an increase in the amplitude of motor evoked potentials in TMS are the most frequent changes in pain syndromes in the diagnostic modality. The efficacy of different regimes in the treatment of pain syndromes remains understudied. Despite vast knowledge on clinical use of TMS in pain syndromes in adults, in pediatrics its use is limited to migraine treatment. TMS is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool that should be more often implemented in neurorehabilitation and treatment of neurological diseases in adults and children with pain syndromes.

Statistical power estimation in non-invasive brain stimulation studies and its clinical implications: An exploratory study of the meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have emerged as a promising tool for understanding and treating psychiatric disorders, necessitating a caution in terms of interpreting research results.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at systematically evaluating a representative sample of research conducted using NIBS interventions in neuro-psychiatric conditions, and assessing the power these studies achieved, given their sample sizes.

METHODS

A database search was conducted with defined keyword combinations. Using reported summary effects of the meta-analyses as estimate of the true effects, we calculated achieved power of each individual study to detect the effect indicated by the corresponding meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Findings suggest that mean and median powers in the field of NIBS were 0.50, with a mode at 0.83 (range 0.05-1.00). When analysed separately, the median powers were 0.27 for tDCS, 0.70 for TMS and 0.97 for ECT. These studies had a mean total sample size of 22.2 ± 24.9 subjects and the median reported effect size across all studies was 0.61.

CONCLUSION

According to our findings, studies conducted in NIBS miss around 50% of true positive results. Further, it appears that most of the researchers in this field chase statistical significance with small sample sizes, thus compromising the quality of their conclusions.

The Value of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Motor Cortex to Treat Central Pain Sensitization Associated With Knee Osteoarthritis

Aim

Chronic pain associated with knee osteoarthritis may develop in connection with a maladaptive process of pain sensitization in the central nervous system. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed to treat various pain syndromes related to central sensitization phenomenon, but was never applied in the context of knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

A 71-year-old woman presenting clinical evidence of central sensitization of pain associated with left knee osteoarthritis underwent monthly sessions of rTMS delivered at 10 Hz over the right motor cortex.

Results

From the week following the third session, she began to improve on various clinical aspects, including pain. After 10 sessions (i.e., almost one year of follow-up), pain was reduced by 67%, especially regarding neuropathic components, while sleep disorders and fatigue also improved by 57–67%. The central sensitization inventory (CSI) score was reduced by 70%.

Conclusion

This observation suggests that high-frequency motor cortex rTMS could be a therapeutic option to treat neuropathic pain and psychological symptoms associated with central sensitization developing in the context of chronic osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Analgesic effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on modified 2010 criteria-diagnosed fibromyalgia: Pilot study

AIM

Fibromyalgia is often comorbid with depression, and less than half those patients achieve satisfactory improvement after adequate pharmacological intervention. The investigation of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for modified-2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder (MDD) is still in its infancy.

METHODS

In this double-blind, randomized, sham-control study, subjects diagnosed with ACR-2010 fibromyalgia and DSM-IV-TR MDD were recruited and received either active or sham interventions for 2 weeks. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the 10-cm visual analogue pain scale were evaluated at baseline, week 1, and week 2. Multivariable generalized estimating equations analysis was performed for the association between depression and pain scores at each checkpoint.

RESULTS

Twenty subjects were recruited. There was a significant difference over the 2 weeks between the rTMS and sham stimulation groups (P = 0.029), but subgroup analyses were further performed due to significant interaction of group and HDRS on pain outcomes (P = 0.020). The active group had significant improvement in pain at week 2 compared with week 1 (P = 0.021), but the control group did not have any improvement in pain (P = 0.585). Of the mild-moderate depression patients, the pain score in the active group was significantly lower than in the sham group at week 1 (P = 0.001) and at week 2 (P < 0.001). For the severe depression group, there was significantly lower pain over the 2 weeks in the active group (P = 0.045) but the sham group had significantly relapsing pain at week 2 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Left prefrontal rTMS has an analgesic effect in modified-ACR 2010-defined fibromyalgia and MDD patients. Further investigation is required, however, in order to determine how to regulate the different rTMS treatment protocols according to individual baseline depression severity in patients with MDD and fibromyalgia.

The clinical utility of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in reducing the risks of transitioning from acute to chronic pain in traumatically injured patients

Pain is a multifaceted condition and a major ongoing challenge for healthcare professionals having to treat patients in whom pain put them at risk of developing other conditions. Significant efforts have been invested in both clinical and research settings in an attempt to demystify the mechanisms at stake and develop optimal treatments as well as to reduce individual and societal costs. It is now universally accepted that neuroinflammation and central sensitization are two key underlying factors causing pain chronification as they result from maladaptive central nervous system plasticity. Recent research has shown that the mechanisms of action of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) make it a particularly promising avenue in treating various pain conditions. This review will first discuss the contribution of neuroinflammation and central sensitization in the transition from acute to chronic pain in traumatically injured patients. A detailed discussion on how rTMS may allow the restoration from maladaptive plasticity in addition to breaking down the chain of events leading to pain chronification will follow. Lastly, this review will provide a theoretical framework of what might constitute optimal rTMS modalities in dealing with pain symptoms in traumatically injured patients based on an integrated perspective of the physiopathological mechanisms underlying pain.

Neuromodulation treats Chikungunya arthralgia: a randomized controlled trial

The Chikungunya (CHIK) virus is epidemic in Brazil, with 170,000 cases in the first half of 2016. More than 60% of patients present relapsing and remitting chronic arthralgia with debilitating pain lasting years. There are no specific therapeutic agents to treat and rehabilitee infected persons with CHIK. Persistent pain can lead to incapacitation, requiring long-term pharmacological treatment. Advances in non-pharmacological treatments are necessary to promote pain relief without side effects and to restore functionality. Clinical trials indicate transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can treat a broad range of chronic pain disorders, including diffuse neuromuscular pain and arthralgia. Here, we demonstrate that the tDCS across the primary motor cortex significantly reduces pain in the chronic phase of CHIK. High-resolution computational model was created to analyze the cortical electric field generated during tDCS and a diffuse and clustered brain current flow including M1 ipsilateral and contralateral, left DLPFC, nucleus accumbens, and cingulate was found. Our findings suggest tDCS could be an effective, inexpensive and deployable therapy to areas lacking resources with a significant number of patients with chronic CHIK persistent pain.

Fibromyalgia in Primary Care

Fibromyalgia is a common disorder and has substantial impact on quality of life. The cause remains unknown, but current evidence points to multifactorial involvement of pain processing. Clinical diagnosis is aided by evidence-based diagnostic criteria with subscores for widespread pain and symptom severity. Nonpharmacologic treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, sleep hygiene, and regular aerobic exercise, form the cornerstone of management. Pharmacologic intervention is an important adjunct, but benefit is variable. There is no cure for fibromyalgia at this time, but persistence and patience in management may lead to a satisfactory lifestyle.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Therapeutic Option for Neurologic and Psychiatric Illnesses

In recent years, transcranial magnetic stimulation has become an area of interest in the field of neurosciences due to its ability to non-invasively induce sufficient electric current to depolarize superficial axons and networks in the cortex and can be used to explore brain functioning. Evidence shows that transcranial magnetic stimulation could be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for various neurological and psychiatric illnesses. The aim of this review is to introduce the basics of this technology to the readers and to bring together an overview of some of its clinical applications investigated thus far.

Management of Functional Somatic Syndromes and Bodily Distress

Functional somatic syndromes (FSS), like irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia and other symptoms reflecting bodily distress, are common in practically all areas of medicine worldwide. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these symptoms and syndromes vary substantially across and within medical specialties from biomedicine to psychiatry. Patients may become frustrated with the lack of effective treatment, doctors may experience these disorders as difficult to treat, and this type of health problem forms an important component of the global burden of disease. This review intends to develop a unifying perspective on the understanding and management of FSS and bodily distress. Firstly, we present the clinical problem and review current concepts for classification. Secondly, we propose an integrated etiological model which encompasses a wide range of biopsychosocial vulnerability and triggering factors and considers consecutive aggravating and maintaining factors. Thirdly, we systematically scrutinize the current evidence base in terms of an umbrella review of systematic reviews from 2007 to 2017 and give recommendations for treatment for all levels of care, concentrating on developments over the last 10 years. We conclude that activating, patient-involving, and centrally acting therapies appear to be more effective than passive ones that primarily act on peripheral physiology, and we recommend stepped care approaches that translate a truly biopsychosocial approach into actual management of the patient.

Noninvasive neuromodulation techniques for the management of phantom limb pain: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Neuromodulation techniques work by modulating pain perception by inducing changes in polarity of the neuronal membrane and thereby cortical excitability. The aim of this review is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of noninvasive neuromodulation techniques for phantom limb pain (PLP). A systematic literature search in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify studies investigating the effects of noninvasive neuromodulation for PLP. The included journal articles were assessed with Furlan et al.'s method for examining the risk of bias to assess methodologic quality, and evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. The literature search identified 239 studies. Of these 239, four studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included for data extraction. Two of the studies focused on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) whereas two other concentrated on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The present review showed that there is conflicting evidence to support the use of tDCS in short term and moderate evidence to support the use of rTMS in immediate and short term. It is important to recognize that this evidence comes from a very small sample size. No serious adverse effects were reported. Further information from randomized controlled trials with larger sample size investigating immediate and short-term and long-term effects are needed to clarify the best effective stimulation parameters and number of sessions of tDCS and rTMS for PLP.

Integrative Pain Management

Chronic pain is one of the most common conditions seen in the clinic, and it is often one of the most frustrating for both clinicians and patients. This condition stems from common comorbidities, including depression, insomnia, fatigue, and physical deconditioning, which often create barriers to recovery. In addition, chronic pain has had divergent approaches for treatment, including an overemphasis on analgesia and curative treatments while underemphasizing the biopsychosocial needs of those in pain. This article attempts to provide an initial framework for approaching those in pain and initiating patient-centered options to support improvements in pain, function, and self-care.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Chronic Pain: A Meta-analysis

Background:

In this meta-analysis, we explore the role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive neuromodulation technique in the treatment of chronic pain.

Methods:

Studies comparing rTMS and conventional treatment for chronic pain were searched. The comparison was made for decrease in the pain scores with and without (sham) the use of rTMS after a follow-up interval of 4–8 weeks. All reported pain scores were converted into a common scale ranging from “0” (no pain) to “10” (worst pain).

Results:

Nine trials with 183 patients in each of the groups were included in the analysis. The decrease in pain scores with rTMS was 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] being 1.46–0.78) (fixed effects, I² = 0%, P < 0.001) and in sham-rTMS was 0.28 (95% CI being 0.49–0.07) (Fixed effects, I² = 0, P = 0.01). The pooled mean drop in pain scores with rTMS therapy was higher by 0.79 (95% CI being 0.26–1.33) (fixed effects, I² = 0, P < 0.01). The duration and frequency of rTMS were highly variable across trials. Publication bias was unlikely (Egger's test, X-intercept = 0.13, P = 0.75).

Conclusions:

Use of rTMS improves the efficacy of conventional medical treatment in chronic pain patients. This treatment is not associated with any direct adverse effects. However, the duration and frequency of rTMS therapy is presently highly variable and needs standardization.

Management of fibromyalgia syndrome in 2016

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic pain disorder and defies definitively efficacious therapy. In this review, we summarize the results from the early treatment research as well as recent research evaluating the pharmacological, interventional and nonpharmacological therapies. We further discuss future directions of fibromyalgia syndrome management; we specifically focus on the issues that are associated with currently available treatments, such as the need for personalized approach, new technologically oriented and interventional treatments, the importance of understanding and harnessing placebo effects and enhancement of patient engagement in therapy.

Descending Control of Nociceptive Processing in Knee Osteoarthritis Is Associated With Intracortical Disinhibition: An Exploratory Study

Based on the hypothesis that an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory input is a central mechanism of knee osteoarthritis chronic pain (KOACP), this exploratory study had the following aims: to compare whether the function of the descending inhibitory pain pathway is associated with the state of inhibition in the corticospinal system indexed by the motor-evoked potential (MEP) and the cortical salient period (CSP) in patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy controls; and to determine if there is correlation between the measures of intracortical inhibition (CSP, MEP) with changes on the numerical pain scale (NPS [0-10]) in KOACP during a conditioned pain modulation (CPM)-task considering the effect of self-reported function assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and analgesic use.In a cross-sectional study, we included females (n = 21), with disability by pain or stiffness due to KOACP and healthy controls (n = 10), aged 19 to 75 years. The motor cortex excitability parameters (MEP and CSP) were assessed using the transcranial magnetic stimulation. We assessed the pain and disability by the WOMAC, and change on NPS (0-10) during CPM-task.A Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that the adjusted mean (SD) on the MEP amplitude was 13.53% higher in the OA than in healthy subjects (1.33 [0.49] vs 1.15 [0.13]), respectively (P = 0.16). The adjusted mean (SD) on the CSP observed in OA patients was 23.43% lower than in healthy subjects (54.54 [16.10] vs 70.94 [22.87]), respectively (P = 0.01). The function of the descending pain modulatory system assessed by change on NPS (0-10) during a CPM-task was negatively correlated with the cortical excitability parameter indexed by the CSP (P = 0.001). Also, the CSP was negatively correlated with the pain and disability assessed by the WOMAC index.These findings support the hypothesis that the change in cortical plasticity in KOACP is associated with less intracortical inhibition, as measured by the CSP. These results show that the neural change in the motor cortex in KOACP is associated with pain and disability levels, and also with decreased activation of the endogenous pain-modulating system by a CPM-task.

Electrical Intramuscular Stimulation in Osteoarthritis Enhances the Inhibitory Systems in Pain Processing at Cortical and Cortical Spinal System

OBJECTIVE

To determine if in knee osteoarthritis (KOA), one session of active electrical intramuscular stimulation (a-EIMS) compared with sham causes an effect on the motor cortex excitability parameters [motor evoked potential (MEP; the primary outcome), short intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF) and cortical silent period (CSP)] and pain measurements [pain pressure threshold (PPT); visual analog scale (VAS) and change in numerical pain scale (NPS_0-10 ) during the conditioned pain modulation (CPM)-task]. This study also set out to determine if serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediates the effect of treatment on the cortical spinal system as assessed by MEP and PPT.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Women with KOA, 50-75-years old received a 30-min session of either sham (n = 13) or a-EIMS (n = 13) with 2 Hz. The pain measures and excitability parameters were measured before and immediately after a-EIMS or sham.

RESULTS

The a-EIMS group compared with sham decreased the MEP by 31,67% [confidence interval (CI) 95%, 2.34-60.98]. For the secondary outcomes, the a-EIMS reduced the ICF and increased the CSP but not changed the SICI. The a-EIMS improved the pain reported on VAS, the PPT, and the score of the NPS (0-10) during the CPM-task The BDNF was negatively correlated with the PPT (r = -0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

The serum BDNF revealed an inverse relationship with PPT independent of the treatment group. These results suggest that a-EIMS enhanced the corticospinal inhibitory systems in cortical and infracortical pain processing sites most likely by bottom-up regulation mechanisms.