Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Neuropathic Pain Secondary to Malignancy.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Neuropathic Pain Secondary to Malignancy.
The purpose of this study isto assess the efficacy of daily 10 sessions of rTMS over primary motor cortex in patients suffering from malignant neuropathic pain. Thirty four patients were divided randomly into 2 groups equally using closed envelops to undergo real (20 Hz, 10 second, 10 trains with inter-train interval 30 second with total pulses 2000, intensity 80% of motor threshold over hand area of motor cortex) or sham rTMS (same parameters but with coil elevated and angled away from the head)every day for ten consecutive days (5 days/week). Patients were evaluated using a verbal descriptor scale (VDS), visual analog scale (VAS), Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) at baseline, after 1st, 5th, 10thtreatment session, and then 15 days and 1 month after the end of treatment. ic pain.
Inclusion Criteria:
All patients within age group 18-65 years with malignant lateralized neuropathic pain resistant to medical treatment for at least 2 months or associated with significant adverse effects from medication were involved in this study.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with intracranial metallic devices Patients with pacemakers or any other device. Patients with recent myocardial ischemia, unstable angina Patients known to have history of epilepsy.