Article

Central pain can occur following traumatic brain injury, leading to
poor functional recovery, limitation of activities of daily living, and decreased
quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine whether high-frequency
(10 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, applied over the primary
motor cortex of the affected hemisphere, can be used to manage chronic central
pain after mild traumatic brain injury.
DESIGN: Prospective randomized
feasibility study. METHODS: Twelve patients with mild traumatic brain injury and
chronic central pain were randomly assigned to transcranial magnetic stimulation
(high-frequency stimulation, 10 sessions) or sham groups. Diffuse tensor
tractography revealed partially injured spinothalamocortical tracts in all
recruited patients. A numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain
intensity during pre-treatment and immediately after the 5th transcranial
magnetic stimulation session (post1), 10th transcranial magnetic stimulation
session (post2), and 1 (post3), 2 (post4), and 4 weeks (post 5) after finishing
treatment. Physical and mental health status were evaluated using the Short Form
36 Health Survey (SF-36), including physical and mental component scores (PCS,
MCS). RESULTS: The NRS score of the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
group was significantly lower than the sham group score at all clinical
evaluation time-points during and after transcranial magnetic stimulation
sessions. The transcranial magnetic stimulation group's SF-36 PCS score was
significantly higher at post2, post3, post4, and post5 compared with the sham
group. CONCLUSION: High-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation may be used
to manage chronic central pain and improve quality of life in patients with mild
traumatic brain injury. However, this is a pilot study and further research is
needed.

Langue : ANGLAIS