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Published on: May 23, 2011
Noninvasive transcranial brain stimulation and pain
Allyson C Rosen1, Mukund Ramkumar, Tam Nguyen
1Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Avenue (151Y), Palo Alto, CA 94304-1207, USA. rosena@psych.stanford.edu
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|January 8, 2009
Summary
Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), show promise in reducing pain and understanding pain mechanisms. These methods offer new avenues for investigating and potentially treating chronic pain conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Management
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are noninvasive brain stimulation techniques.
- These methods modulate cortical activity, with current use primarily investigational.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the applications of TMS and tDCS in pain research.
- To highlight their potential in pain reduction and understanding pain physiology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on TMS and tDCS for pain.
- Discussion of their use in conjunction with other neurophysiologic and pharmacologic techniques.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports TMS and tDCS in reducing pain and altering pain-related neurophysiology.
- TMS can predict response to surgical stimulation for chronic pain.
Conclusions:
- TMS and tDCS are valuable tools for investigating pain mechanisms.
- These techniques offer potential therapeutic benefits for pain management.
