High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (hrTMS) in treatment of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia. Methods Thirty-eight patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were divided into hrTMS treatment group and control group (n=19) according to the willing of the patients; patients in the hrTMS treatment group were treated with 20 Hz hrTMS; those in the control group were given placebo-controlled transcranial magnetic stimulation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores one week before, and one, two and 4 weeks after treatment were compared between the two groups. Scores of pain scale of Barrow Neurologic Institute (BNI), evoked potential (N100) amplitude and incidence of adverse reactions one, two and 4 weeks after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results VAS scores in the hrTMS treatment group two and 4 weeks after treatment were significantly lower as compared with those in the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion The hrTMS can effectively alleviate pain of primary trigeminal neuralgia, and it is safe and reliable. Key words: High repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Primary trigeminal neuralgia; Clinical efficacy; Safety