Analgesic effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with chronic low back pain
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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Unilateral Hemisphere of Rat Brain
Published on: October 22, 2016
Mónica Ambriz-Tututi1, Beatriz Alvarado-Reynoso1, René Drucker-Colín2
1Hospital General Ajusco Medio "Dra. Obdulia Rodriguez Rodriguez", Unidad de Trastornos de Movimiento y Sueño, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
Abstract:
The objective of the present study was to assess the benefits of 1-week repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). The visual analogue scale (VAS), Short Form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and Short Form 36 Health Survey were used to evaluate the effect of this treatment. Eighty-two patients diagnosed with LBP were divided randomly into three groups: rTMS-treated group, sham group, and physical therapy-treated group. We observed a significant reduction in VAS and SF-MPQ scores in the rTMS-treated group, but not in the sham group. Moreover, patients who received rTMS had a lower mean pain score than patients treated with physical therapy. Our study suggests that rTMS produces safe, significant, and long-term relief in patients with LBP without evident side effects. This study shows for the first time that long-term repeated sessions of rTMS decrease pain perception of LBP. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:527-535, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
