Low-frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Cognition and Psychiatric Function in Fibromyalgia: Study

The findings revealed that both the active and sham groups expressed improvement across most rating scales at the one-month and three-month follow-ups. However, the active rTMS group demonstrated significantly greater improvements when compared to the sham group. There was a significant correlation between the FIQ scores and cognitive rating scales with the RAVLT and TOL tests. These tests are designed to measure verbal memory and executive function, respectively.

The results suggest that 20 sessions of low-frequency rTMS over the right DLPFC can lead to substantial improvements in FIQ scores by targeting psychiatric and cognitive symptoms in medicated FM patients. The observed changes in RAVLT and TOL performance were strongly linked to the improvements in FIQ results which suggests the beneficial impact of rTMS on cognitive functions impaired by fibromyalgia.

This study contributes to the growing body of research on rTMS by highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Further investigation is imperative to fully understand the mechanisms and long-term effects for the better management strategies for patients with this chronic condition.

Source:

Badr, M. Y., Ahmed, G. K., Amer, R. A., Aref, H. M., Salem, R. M., Elmokadem, H. A., & Khedr, E. M. (2024). Impact of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Cognitive and Psychiatric Dysfunction in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial. In Brain Sciences (Vol. 14, Issue 5, p. 416). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14050416