Pain relief induced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of precentral cortex

Neuroreport. 2001 Sep 17;12(13):2963-5. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200109170-00041.

Abstract

Chronic electrical stimulation of the precentral (motor) cortex using surgically implanted electrodes is performed to treat medication-resistant neurogenic pain. The goal of this placebo-controlled study was to obtain such antalgic effects by means of a non-invasive cortical stimulation using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Eighteen patients with intractable neurogenic pain of various origins were included and underwent a 20 min session of either 10 Hz, 0.5 Hz or* sham rTMS over the motor cortex in a random order. A significant decrease in the mean pain level of the series was obtained only after 10 Hz rTMS. This study shows that a transient pain relief can be induced by 10 Hz rTMS of the motor cortex in some patients suffering from chronic neurogenic pain.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Efferent Pathways / anatomy & histology
  • Efferent Pathways / physiology
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / adverse effects
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / instrumentation
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Cortex / anatomy & histology
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Pain / pathology
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain Management*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome