A35 TRNS effects on multiple sclerosis symptoms: A randomized double-blind sham-controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives Nowadays, there is a growing interest in investigating the potential role of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques in several neuropsychiatric diseases. Among the latter, multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, can result in a variety of difficult-to-treat symptoms. The aim of this work is to assess the effects of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), an NIBS technique, on frequently encountered and challenging MS-related symptoms, namely neuropathic pain, cognition, mood, and fatigue. Methods 16 MS patients were enrolled. Each patient randomly underwent two stimulation blocks (active or sham) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Each block consisted of three consecutive daily sessions. The evaluation consisted of the Attention Network Test, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Neuropathic Pain Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, as well as neurophysiological measures for pain and cognition (Pain related evoked potentials, frontal midline theta activity). Results Compared to sham stimulation, a trend towards pain improvement was obtained following the active tRNS as documented by a decrease in pain scores and N2-P2 amplitudes of pain related evoked potentials. Active tRNS did not have any effects on frontal midline theta activity, attention, mood or fatigue scales. Discussion The absence of effects on other symptoms might be related to sample size and short protocol duration. Conclusions tRNS seem to induce analgesic effects in MS related neuropathic pain. Significance tRNS might play an important role in pain management especially in situations where pharmaceutical agents are faced with limited benefits.