Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of primary insomnia / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare sleep electroencephalogram-modulated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (SEM-rTMS) with routine repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (R-rTMS) in the treatment of primary insomnia. Methods One hundred and twenty six patients with insomnia were divided randomly into a SEM-rTMS group (44 cases) , a R-rTMS group (42 cases) and a sham rTMS group (40 cases). Each case was treated with rTMS for 30 min once a day for 10 d under double blinding of the patient and therapist. The clinical effect was observed along with Krakow sleep scores, electroencephalograms and blood pressure before and after a 10-day course of therapy and 30 days later. Results During rTMS treatment, some patients reported feeling sleepy, and this was confirmed by their EEGs at the time. After the entire course of therapy, 80% of the SEM-rTMS group and 45% of the R-rTMS group showed improvements, a significant difference. At the 30th day after therapy, the effect in the SEM-rTMS group was still significantly better than in the R-rTMS group. There were no obvious side effects in any group throughout the whole observation period. Conclusions SEM-rTMS is more effective and more reliable than R-rTMS. SEM-rTMS is safe to use with primary insomnia patients.