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Published on: August 20, 2019
Modification of Alpha Brain Oscillatory Activity in Fibromyalgia After Very Low Intensity Transcranial Magnetic
Jose Maria Gomez-Arguelles1, Isabel Lopez2, Inmaculada Concepcion Rodriguez-Rojo3
1Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación, ETSIT, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Universitario del Tajo, Madrid, Spain.
Low-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation (LITMS) effectively modulates brain activity in fibromyalgia patients. This treatment normalizes alpha brain oscillations in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, improving symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition with unaddressed treatment needs, potentially stemming from central nervous system signal misprocessing.
- Very low intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation (LITMS) is an experimental therapy aimed at central neuromodulation for FM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in brain oscillatory activity following LITMS in FM patients.
- To compare pre- and post-treatment brain activity in FM patients with that of healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- An interventional study involving 33 women with FM and 14 healthy controls.
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to record brain activity before and after LITMS treatment.
- Mechanical stimuli were applied, and changes in brain oscillations, particularly alpha frequency in specific brain areas, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- FM patients showed increased alpha brain oscillatory activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFS), predominantly in the left hemisphere (P = 0.03).
- Significant symptom improvement was reported in the FM Impact Questionnaire (P < 0.01).
- Post-treatment, differences in alpha frequency in the DLPFS between FM patients and controls diminished.
Conclusions:
- LITMS treatment enhances FM patients' symptomatology.
- Statistical changes in DLPFS alpha brain activity were observed, normalizing to levels similar to controls.
- LITMS demonstrates potential as a therapeutic intervention for fibromyalgia by modulating brain activity.
