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[Augmented psychotherapy with rTMS in functional neurological disorder].
H Bottemanne1, K Imadache2, L Pernet2
1Sorbonne University, Department of Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, DMU Neuroscience, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau (ICM), UMR 7225/UMRS 1127, Sorbonne University/CNRS/INSERM, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Sorbonne University, Department of Philosophy, SND Research Unit, UMR 8011/FRE 3593, 1 rue Victor Cousin, 75005 Paris, France.
This study shows that combining psychotherapy with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) effectively treated a patient with functional neurological disorder. The patient experienced significant symptom relief and recovery within two months.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Functional neurological disorder (FND) presents complex challenges in treatment.
- This case study explores an innovative therapeutic approach for FND symptoms.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old woman with tetraparesis, tremors, and non-epileptic seizures due to FND was treated.
- The treatment involved a biofeedback psychotherapy protocol combined with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
Findings:
- The patient received 20 sessions of rTMS targeting the primary motor area, combined with motor imagery during stimulation.
- Neurological symptoms, including paresis, showed improvement by the 8th-12th sessions.
- Complete remission of functional neurological symptoms was observed at two months post-treatment.
Implications:
- This case suggests that integrating biofeedback psychotherapy with rTMS can be a potent therapeutic strategy for FND.
- The findings support the potential of combining cognitive-behavioral therapies with brain stimulation for holistic FND management.
- Further research is warranted to validate this combined approach in larger clinical trials.
