Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation for the relief of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe any effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).Methods:Eighty-six persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus and DPNP were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 43. Both groups were given basic treatment to control plasma glucose and blood pressure, while the observation group was additionally provided with daily 10Hz rTMS of the primary motor cortex (M1 area) of the non-dominant hand 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, pain in both groups was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Patient′s Global Impression Change scale (PGIC). The motor conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory conduction velocity of the median and the common peroneal nerves were also tested.Results:After treatment, the average VAS pain rating and PGIC score of the observation group were significantly lower than the control group′s averages and those before treatment. The observation group′s treatment effectiveness rate (79.07%) was then much better than that of the control group (23.26%). After the treatment, the average MCV of the median and common peroneal nerves of the observation group (47.65±1.94 m/s and 46.98±3.26 m/s, respectively) were significantly faster than before treatment, and those of the control group.Conclusions:rTMS based on routine intervention can significantly relieve DPNP and promote the recovery of injured nerves, bettering diabetics′ physical condition and life quality.