Beyond physiotherapy and pharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome: tailored tACS as a new therapeutic tool

AbstractFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex pain disorder, characterized by diffuse pain and cognitive disturbances. Abnormal cortical oscillatory activity may be a promising biomarker, encouraging non-invasive neurostimulation techniques as a treatment. We aimed to modulate abnormal slow cortical oscillations by delivering transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and physiotherapy to reduce pain and cognitive symptoms. This was a double-blinded, randomized, crossover trial conducted between February and September 2018 at the Rehabilitation Unit of a teaching Hospital (NCT03221413). Participants were randomly assigned to tACS or random noise stimulation (RNS), 5  days/week for 2 weeks followed by ad hoc physiotherapy. Clinical and cognitive assessments were performed atT0 (baseline),T1 (after stimulation),T2 (1  month after stimulation). Electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral topographies recorded from 15 participants confirmed slow-rhythm prevalence and provided tACS tailored stimulation parameters and electrode sites. Following tACS, EEG alpha1 ([8–10] Hz) activity increased atT1 (p = 0.024) compared to RNS, pain symptoms assessed by Visual Analog Scale decreased atT1 (T1 vsT0p = 0.010), self-reported cognitive skills and neuropsychological scores improved both atT1 andT2 (Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cognitive Impairment,T0–T2,p = 0.024; Everyday memory questionnaire,T1 compared to RNS,p = 0.012; Montréal Cognitive Assessment,T0 vsT1,pâ...
Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research