Role of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disease characterized by widespread, persistent musculoskeletal pain in association with impaired health-related quality of life.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an emerging tool for the management of fibromyalgia.

There is no standardized protocol of rTMS for the treatment of FMS, and both low- and high-frequency stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) are described in the literature with variable efficacy.

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of rTMS in people with fibromyalgia and compare the response of low- and high-frequency stimulation with sham stimulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Ninety patients with the diagnosis of FMS were randomly allocated into one of the following three groups: low-frequency (1 Hz) group, high-frequency (10 Hz) group, and sham group.

Pain, depression, anxiety, and quality of life were measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) immediately following treatment as well as at 1 and 3 months after treatment.

The data was statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23 software.

P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Intergroup analysis revealed a significant improvement in NPRS, HAM-A, HDRS, and FIQR scores in both low- and high- frequency groups immediately following treatment and for 3 months after treatment.

No significant difference in the efficacy of low- and high-frequency stimulation was noticed.

CONCLUSIONS: rTMS is an effective mode of treatment in people with FMS.

Both low and high frequencies of stimulation at DLPFC are equally effective in reducing pain and associated symptoms.