Israel Trials Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Widespread Pain
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Sheba Medical Center in Israel has launched an experimental Deep TMS treatment for chronic widespread pain, showing promising results for patients suffering from pain and related cognitive and mood issues. The therapy targets multiple brain regions simultaneously and is considered safe with mild side effects.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's Sheba Medical Center is testing Deep TMS for chronic widespread pain.
- The treatment uses magnetic helmets to stimulate deep brain regions.
- It aims to reduce pain and improve cognitive function and mood.
- One patient reported reduced pain and improved cognitive abilities.
- The therapy targets both motor and prefrontal cortex areas.
- It is offered to patients who exhausted conventional treatments.
Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer is pioneering a new experimental treatment in Israel for chronic widespread pain using Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS). The non-invasive therapy employs specialized helmets to deliver controlled magnetic fields to deep brain regions, aiming to alleviate pain and associated symptoms like concentration difficulties, memory loss, and low mood.
One patient, identified as N., who has been suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since an accident years ago, reported significant improvement. "I feel the treatment has helped improve my cognitive abilities and executive functions," she stated. "Since starting the treatment, the pain and the nervous system's sensitivity to stimuli have also decreased."
The treatment targets two key brain areas: the motor cortex, involved in regulating pain signals, and the prefrontal cortex, linked to cognitive function and mood. Dr. Lior Unger, Deputy Director of Neurosurgery at Sheba, explained that targeting multiple brain regions simultaneously offers a broader approach to managing chronic pain, which involves a complex network of areas, not just one. "This combination is innovative, unique to Sheba, and currently appears promising for patients with invisible illnesses and symptoms that significantly impair function and quality of life."
Currently, the therapy is offered to individuals with chronic widespread pain who have not found relief from conventional treatments. Patients undergo an initial phase of three sessions per week for four weeks, followed by a maintenance phase of one weekly session. "We expect to see improvement within a few weeks of treatment, and then continue with weekly maintenance to try and preserve the effect over time," Dr. Unger noted. While generally considered safe, the most common side effect is mild headache, with a very rare risk of seizures.
Deep TMS technology is already part of Israel's health basket for treatment-resistant depression and is available for PTSD through the Ministry of Defense. This new application for chronic pain is being offered as an experimental treatment, not a formal clinical trial, though patient data is being collected for potential future research.