title: Transcranial magnetic stimulation and chronic pain: current status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine evidence suggesting a potential role for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of chronic pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic pain is characterized by brain changes that can reasonably be presumed to be associated with hyperalgesia, as occurs with neuropathic changes in the periphery. TMS has the ability to induce plastic changes in the cortex at the site of stimulation and at connected sites, including the spinal cord. It also has the ability to influence the experience of experimental/acute pain. In studies of TMS in chronic pain, there is some evidence that temporary relief can be achieved in a proportion of sufferers. Chronic pain is common. Current treatments are often ineffective and complicated by side-effects. Work to this point is encouraging, but systematic assessment of stimulation parameters is necessary if TMS is to achieve a role in the treatment of chronic pain. Maintenance TMS is currently provided in relapsing major depression and may be a useful model in chronic pain management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia. spridmore@iprimus.com.au
authors.forename: Saxby
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pridmore
authors.forename: Gajinder
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oberoi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcolin
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D059408:Pain Management; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods