Neuromodulation with transcranial magnetic stimulation has potential as a fibromyalgia treatment
Non-invasive stimulation of the brain using electromagnetic fields continues to show promise for people with fibromyalgia, says new research.
Fibromyalgia is a characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain alongside fatigue, disrupted sleep, memory and mood issues. Some experts believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the brain processes pain signals. Dysregulation of pain processing in the central nervous system of people with fibromyalgia is associated with an increase in neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
A medical group from the US has been using neuromodulation with transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat fibromyalgia patients who also have depression. The technique involves stimulating the brain non-invasively using electromagnetic fields, similar to those produced by an MRI machine. A magnetic field is administered in short pulses to the relevant part of the brain for about 25 minutes a day for five weeks.
Their findings, the group involved reports, are encouraging: “preliminary results have shown improvement in all standardized scoring measures”.
Click here to read the original research.
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