Analgesic effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with chronic low back pain

The objective of the present study was to assess the benefits of 1‐week repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). The visual analogue scale (VAS), Short Form McGill pain questionnaire (SF‐MPQ), and Short Form 36 Health Survey were used to evaluate the effect of this treatment. Eighty‐two patients diagnosed with LBP were divided randomly into three groups: rTMS‐treated group, sham group, and physical therapy‐treated group. We observed a significant reduction in VAS and SF‐MPQ scores in the rTMS‐treated group, but not in the sham group. Moreover, patients who received rTMS had a lower mean pain score than patients treated with physical therapy. Our study suggests that rTMS produces safe, significant, and long‐term relief in patients with LBP without evident side effects. This study shows for the first time that long‐term repeated sessions of rTMS decrease pain perception of LBP. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:527–535, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.