Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Brain Imaging01:14

Brain Imaging

Brain imaging technologies provide critical insights into both the structure and function of the human brain, enabling medical professionals and researchers to diagnose, study, and treat neurological disorders or psychiatric disorders more effectively.
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans),  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),  functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Comorbidities and Complications in Parkinson's Disease in Primary Care.

European journal of neurology·2026
Same author

Engineering resilient gene drives for sustainable malaria control by predicting, testing and overcoming target site resistance in Anopheles gambiae.

PLoS biology·2026
Same author

A scoping review of alterations in sensory and motor function, and body perception in women with chronic pelvic pain.

The journal of pain·2026
Same author

Prevalence of mental disorders in people with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan: umbrella review.

BJPsych open·2026
Same author

Persistent health inequalities over 20 years among adults with intellectual disabilities who display behaviours that challenge: evidence from English primary care records.

BJPsych open·2026
Same author

Enabling health and maintaining independence for older people at home: the 'HomeHealth' Randomised Controlled Trial.

Health technology assessment (Winchester, England)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
09:35

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain

Published on: May 10, 2017

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for chronic pain.

Neil E O'Connell1, Benedict M Wand, Louise Marston

  • 1Centre for Research in Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK, UB8 3PH.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|September 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may offer short-term pain relief for chronic pain, but effects are minimal. Low-frequency rTMS and other non-invasive brain stimulation techniques like cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) show limited efficacy.

More Related Videos

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers
08:33

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers

Published on: January 5, 2024

Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
12:00

Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Published on: May 23, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
09:35

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain

Published on: May 10, 2017

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers
08:33

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers

Published on: January 5, 2024

Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
12:00

Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Published on: May 23, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pain Management
  • Medical Technology

Background:

  • Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), are explored for chronic pain management by altering brain activity.
  • These methods aim to provide an alternative to traditional pain relief strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in managing chronic pain conditions.
  • To synthesize evidence from randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS) and clinical trial registers.
  • Included studies involved adults with chronic pain (≥3 months), utilized sham stimulation controls, and measured pain as a primary outcome. Data were extracted and analyzed, with high-risk bias studies excluded.

Main Results:

  • Thirty-three trials involving 937 participants were reviewed. High-frequency rTMS showed a small, short-term pain reduction (SMD -0.40), but did not clearly exceed minimal clinical importance. Low-frequency rTMS was ineffective.
  • Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) did not demonstrate statistically significant differences compared to sham. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) showed significant heterogeneity, with subgroup analysis suggesting potential short-term benefits when applied to the motor cortex.
  • Minor, transient side effects were associated with non-invasive brain stimulation.

Conclusions:

  • High-frequency rTMS of the motor cortex may provide minor, short-term pain relief, though not clinically significant. Low-frequency rTMS is ineffective for chronic pain.
  • Evidence for the efficacy of CES is insufficient, and tDCS shows potential for short-term effects on motor cortex stimulation.
  • Further high-quality, rigorously designed studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of various non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for chronic pain.