Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| [b] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Jong Youb Lim, MD, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, 95 Dunsanseo-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35233, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 42 611 3631; Fax: +82 42 611 3633; E-mail: jylimmd@eulji.ac.kr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is one of the effective treatments for neuropathic pain. Little is known about the effects of multi-session theta burst stimulation, one of the new paradigms of rTMS. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multi-session intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on central neuropathic pain, using evaluation tools specific to neuropathic pain. METHODS:Patients with central neuropathic pain diagnosed using Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group guidelines were recruited. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to either a real or sham iTBS group. Each patient underwent 5 sessions of iTBS; before and after completion of the 5 sessions, participants were evaluated using the self-completed Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (S-LANSS), the numeric rating scale (NRS), the neuropathic pain symptom inventory (NPSI), and the neuropathic pain scale (NPS). RESULTS:S-LANSS, NRS, NPSI, and 3 of 4 NPS combination scores decreased significantly in the real iTBS group but not in the sham iTBS group. No adverse effects were reported during or after iTBS sessions. CONCLUSIONS:Multi-session iTBS was associated with a significant decrease in neuropathic pain, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment for patients with central neuropathic pain.
Keywords: Theta burst stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, central neuropathic pain
