The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on pain in fibromyalgia. Secondary aims were to determine its effects on stiffness, fatigue, quality of life, depression/anxiety and cognitive functions.
Twenty participants were randomized into 2 groups. Group A received 10 Hz rTMS to left DLPFC and Group B received sham stimulation. Visual analogue scale (VAS)-pain, VAS-stiffness, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), and fatigue severity scale (FSS) were assessed at the baseline, 2nd and 6th weeks, while hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS) and Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination (ACE-R) were assessed at the baseline and 6th-week.
There was no significant difference in VAS-pain and FSS within and between groups over time (p>0.05). In group A, significant improvement was found in VAS-stiffness and FIQ at the 2nd week in comparison to the baseline (p0.05).
High frequency rTMS to the left DLPFC did not show any significant beneficial effect on pain, stiffness, fatigue, quality of life, mood and cognitive state over sham stimulation.

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