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

Bernardi, Laura; Bertuccelli, Margherita; Formaggio, Emanuela; Rubega, Maria; Bosco, Gerardo; Tenconi, Elena; Cattelan, Manuela; Masiero, Stefano; Felice, Alessandra Del

doi:10.1007/s00406-020-01214-y

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…It has been relatively rarely explored as a therapeutic tool to treat central nervous system activity-dependent fibromyalgia symptoms. Only a recent study has reported effects so far [ 76 ], thus, evidence for its efficacy is limited at present [ 76 , 77 ]. Other non-invasive electrical brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), have also been explored in the context of fibromyalgia, but their effectiveness is unclear.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Invasive Electric and Magnetic Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

et al. 2023

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Although fibromyalgia is defined by its core muscular nociceptive component, it also includes multiple dysfunctions that involve the musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, immune, endocrine, as well as the central and peripheral nervous systems, amongst others. The pathogenic involvement of the nervous system and the numerous neurological and neuroinflammatory symptoms of this disease may benefit from neuromodulatory stimulation techniques that have been shown to be effective and safe in diverse nervous system pathologies. In this systematic review, we outline current evidence showing the potential of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as therapeutic strategies in fibromyalgia. In addition, we evaluate the contribution of these tools to the exploration of the neurophysiological characteristics of fibromyalgia. Considering that the pathogenesis of this disease is unknown, these approaches do not aim to causally treat this syndrome, but to significantly reduce a range of key symptoms and thus improve the quality of life of the patients.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Invasive Electric and Magnetic Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

et al. 2023

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“…FM is a complex, painful disorder that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach for its therapy [1]. The current drugs for treating FM symptoms include many classes of sedatives, analgesics, and antidepressants [36][37][38]. Nevertheless, not all are well tolerated and they do not cover the full range of symptoms associated with FM [39], thus making it necessary to develop new treatments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Experimental Model of Fibromyalgia: Role of Hidrox®

et al. 2021

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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by persistent widespread pain that negatively affects the quality of life of patients. The WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway seems to be involved in central sensitization and different pain states. The objective of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of a new compound called Hidrox® (HD), containing 40–50% hydroxytyrosol, in counteracting the pain associated with FM. An FM-like model was induced in rats by subcutaneous injections of reserpine (1 mg/kg) for three consecutive days. Later, HD (10 mg/kg) was administered orally to the animals for seven days. Reserpine injections induced WNT/β-catenin pathway activation, release of pro-inflammatory mediators as well as a significant increase in oxidative stress. Daily treatment with HD was able to modulate the WNT/β-catenin and Nrf2 pathways and consequently attenuate the behavioral deficits and microglia activation induced by reserpine injection. These results indicate that nutritional consumption of HD can be considered as a new therapeutic approach for human FM.

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“…However, gamma-tACS over bilateral prefrontal cortices had no effect on pain intensity in healthy participants. Another recent study investigated whether the normalization of abnormal brain oscillations by delivering personalized tACS reduces pain in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome ( Bernardi et al, 2021 ). Patients showing spectral power corresponding to higher slow frequencies (1–10 Hz) were stimulated with beta-tACS at 30 Hz, while those showing higher fast frequencies (10.5–30 Hz) were stimulated with theta-tACS at 4 Hz.…”

Section: Pain Control Targeting Abnormal Neural Oscillationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pain control based on oscillatory brain activity using transcranial alternating current stimulation: An integrative review

Takeuchi

2023

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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Developing effective tools and strategies to relieve chronic pain is a high-priority scientific and clinical goal. In particular, the brain regions related to pain processing have been investigated as potential targets to relieve pain by non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). In addition to elucidating the relationship between pain and oscillatory brain activity, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), which can non-invasively entrain oscillatory brain activity and modulate oscillatory brain communication, has attracted scientific attention as a possible technique to control pain. This review focuses on the use of tACS to relieve pain through the manipulation of oscillatory brain activity and its potential clinical applications. Several studies have reported that tACS on a single brain reduces pain by normalizing abnormal oscillatory brain activity in patients with chronic pain. Interpersonal tACS approaches based on inter-brain synchrony to manipulate inter-brain communication may result in pain relief via prosocial effects. Pain is encoded by the spatiotemporal neural communication that represents the integration of cognitive, emotional-affective, and sensorimotor aspects of pain. Therefore, future studies should seek to identify the pathological oscillatory brain communication in chronic pain as a therapeutic target for tACS. In conclusion, tACS could be effective for re-establishing oscillatory brain activity and assisting social interaction, and it might help develop novel approaches for pain control.

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

Cited by 16 publications

References 63 publications

Non-Invasive Electric and Magnetic Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Non-Invasive Electric and Magnetic Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Experimental Model of Fibromyalgia: Role of Hidrox®

Pain control based on oscillatory brain activity using transcranial alternating current stimulation: An integrative review

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