rTMS in alleviating Pain and Co-morbid symptoms in GWVI

摘要 头痛（HA），肌肉和关节疼痛和抑郁症是一些最常见的 在1990-1991年波斯湾战争（GW 1）中服役的军事人员的衰弱症状。 64%的海湾战争退伍军人（GWV）有偏头痛样HA和弥漫性躯体疼痛 海湾战争退伍军人疾病（GWVI）同样，抑郁症也会带来很高的并发症， 慢性疼痛患者和GWV伴GWVI相关慢性疼痛患者的发病率（50%） HA和身体肌肉和关节疼痛状况（GWVI-HAP）。重复经颅磁 经颅磁刺激（rTMS）为GWVI-HAP提供了一种有效的非侵入性治疗选择。我们 由国防部创新治疗评估奖资助的GWVI初步研究 证明在运动皮层进行短期（4次）rTMS可以显著地 减少GWI-HAP症状长达两个月。本多中心临床试验研究旨在进一步： 1)有效的治疗GWI-HAP和抑郁症的长期疗效; 2）评估部位 治疗疼痛和抑郁症的特异性。 !

Abstract Headaches (HA), muscle and joint pain and depression are some of the most common debilitating symptoms in military personnel served in the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War (GW1). Migraine like HA and diffuse body pain were detected in 64% of Gulf War Veteran (GWV) diagnosed with Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (GWVI). Likewise, depression carries a very high co- morbid prevalence (50%) in patients with chronic pain, and in GWV with GWVI related chronic HA, and body muscle and joint pain conditions (GWVI-HAP). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) offers an effective non-invasive treatment option for GWVI-HAP. Our preliminary study funded by the DOD Innovation Treatment Evaluation Award for GWVI demonstrated that a short course (4 sessions) of rTMS at the motor cortex could significantly reduce GWI-HAP symptoms up to two months. This multi-center clinical trial study aims to further: 1) valid the long-term efficacy of the treatment for GWI-HAP and depression; and 2) assess site specificity of the treatment for both pain and depression. !