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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Effects of multi-session intermittent theta burst stimulation on central neuropathic pain: A randomized controlled
Jong Keun Kim1, Hyo Sik Park1, Jin Seok Bae1
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is one of the effective treatments for neuropathic pain. Little is known about the effects of multi-session theta burst stimulation, one of the new paradigms of rTMS.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of multi-session intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on central neuropathic pain, using evaluation tools specific to neuropathic pain.
Methods:
Patients with central neuropathic pain diagnosed using Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group guidelines were recruited. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to either a real or sham iTBS group. Each patient underwent 5 sessions of iTBS; before and after completion of the 5 sessions, participants were evaluated using the self-completed Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (S-LANSS), the numeric rating scale (NRS), the neuropathic pain symptom inventory (NPSI), and the neuropathic pain scale (NPS).
Results:
S-LANSS, NRS, NPSI, and 3 of 4 NPS combination scores decreased significantly in the real iTBS group but not in the sham iTBS group. No adverse effects were reported during or after iTBS sessions.
Conclusions:
Multi-session iTBS was associated with a significant decrease in neuropathic pain, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment for patients with central neuropathic pain.
