Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex attenuates pain perception in complex regional pain syndrome type I

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2003.11.037
• Publication Date: 2004-01-13T05:25:34Z
• Authors: Burkhard Pleger; Frank Janssen; Peter Schwenkreis; Birgit Völker; Christoph Maier; Martin Tegenthoff
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Time Factors; Motor Cortex; Pain; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Middle Aged; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Functional Laterality; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Pain Management; Female; Perception; Aged; Pain Measurement

In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) many clinical symptoms suggest involvement of the central nervous system. Neuropathic pain as the leading symptom is often resistant to therapy. In the present study we investigated the analgesic efficiency of repetitive transcranial magnetic simulation (rTMS) applied to the motor cortex contralateral to the CRPS-affected side. Seven out of ten patients reported decreased pain intensities. Pain relief occurred 30 s after stimulation, whereas the maximum effect was found 15 min later. Pain re-intensified increasingly 45 min after rTMS. In contrast, sham rTMS did not alter pain perception. These findings provide evidence that in CRPS I pain perception can be modulated by repetitive motor cortex stimulation.