重复经颅磁刺激治疗外伤性脊髓损伤后神经病理性疼痛的疗效观察

目的:观察重复经颅磁刺激治疗外伤性脊髓损伤后神经病理性疼痛的疗效。方法:回顾分析18例采用重复经颅磁刺激治疗的外伤性脊髓损伤伴神经病理性疼痛患者,采用重复经颅磁刺激治疗,刺激靶点为初级运动皮质(M1区),刺激频率为10Hz,刺激强度为静息运动阈值的90%,每天治疗1次,每周治疗5 d,连续治疗6周。采用简化McGill疼痛问卷(SF-MPQ)评定疼痛,采用汉密顿抑郁量表(HAMD)和汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)评定疼痛相关情绪状况,采用简明WHO生活质量测定量表(WHOQOL-BREF)的前28项之和及自身总体生活质量评分。结果:治疗6周后,18例患者的SF-MPQ中各项评分均较治疗前有明显改善(P0.05)。HAMD、HAMA、WHOQOLBREF(前28项之和)和WHOQOL-BREF(自身总体评分)较治疗前组内有明显改善(P0.05)。结论:重复经颅磁刺激可以改善外伤性脊髓损伤后神经病理性疼痛,并能改善患者疼痛相关情绪障碍和生活质量。     

经颅直流电刺激治疗脊髓损伤后神经病理性疼痛的疗效观察

目的 观察经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）对脊髓损伤（SCI）后神经病理性疼痛的治疗效果。 方法 用Leeds神经性症状和体征评估量表（LANSS）、贝克抑郁量表（BDI）、简易精神状态量表（MMSE）筛选出18例神经病理性疼痛病程<2年的SCI患者。先完成1~2周基线评估,该阶段用SCI神经功能（ASIA）及视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评价病情,直至疼痛趋于稳定状态,随机分为试验组（12例）和对照组（6例）。试验组接受常规康复治疗、药物治疗和tDCS治疗（第一运动区M1区、2 mA、每次20 min、每日1次、连续5 d）,对照组接受常规康复治疗和药物治疗。治疗前、后,采用VAS、简明疼痛评估量表（BPI）对2组患者的疼痛程度及睡眠、情绪情况进行评定。用t检验分析试验组内不同病程与疼痛缓解程度的相关性。 结果 治疗前,2组患者VAS评分、BPI睡眠及情绪评分比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。与组内治疗前比较,试验组治疗后VAS、BPI睡眠及情绪评分显著改善（P＜0.05）,对照组治疗后仅BPI情绪评分优于治疗前（P＜0.05）。与对照组治疗后同指标比较,试验组VAS评分改善显著（P＜0.05）。详见表2。按照病程将试验组患者分为病程>3月组和病程<3月组,对VAS评分及病程进行相关性分析后,暂未发现病程与tDCS疗效之间存在相关性。 结论 tDCS对病程<2年SCI患者的神经病理性疼痛有改善作用,暂未发现病程与tDCS疗效之间存在相关性。     

重复经颅磁刺激改善脊髓损伤患者神经病理性疼痛疗效的系统评价

目的:系统评价重复经颅磁刺激治疗脊髓损伤患者神经病理性疼痛的疗效。方法:计算机检索MEDLINE、Embase、Cochrane Library、ISI、维普数据库、万方数据库和中国知网数据库从建库至2018年1月研究重复经颅磁刺激治疗脊髓损伤患者神经病理性疼痛的随机对照试验。由2位研究者按照纳入标准和排除标准筛选文献...     

重复经颅磁刺激治疗神经病理性疼痛的临床研究进展

神经病理性疼痛是由于周围或中枢神经系统原发疾病或继发性损害引起的疼痛疾病。重复经颅磁刺激是一种非药物治疗神经病理性疼痛的治疗手段,可有效缓解疼痛。本文就重复经颅磁刺激治疗神经病理性疼痛的机制、临床应用、影响因素和安全性进行系统综述,以期为神经病理性疼痛的治疗提供参考和理论依据。     

不同频率的高频重复经颅磁刺激对大鼠神经病理性疼痛的影响

目的观察高频重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)对神经病理性疼痛模型大鼠的影响,并比较3种不同频率的rTMS对神经病理性疼痛的治疗效果,探索最佳治疗频率。方法选取健康成年雄性SD大鼠100只,随机分为假手术组、模型组、rTMS组、假刺激组,rTMS组又分为5 Hz组、10 Hz组、20 Hz组。于造模成功后第3天开始进行为期5 d或10 d的rTMS治疗。分别于术前、术后不同时间点对各组大鼠进行疼痛行为学评分,包括热痛敏缩足潜伏时(PWTL)、机械痛敏缩足阈值(PWMT)。结果治疗后各rTMS组的PWTL和PWMT值均较模型组不同程度增加,且10 Hz组、20 Hz组的PWTL、PWMT值增加较5 Hz组更明显,10 Hz和20 Hz组间的PWTL和PWMT值比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论不同频率rTMS治疗神经病理性疼痛的疗效不同,10 Hz和20 Hz的疗效优于5 Hz。     

重复经颅磁刺激对脊髓损伤后神经性疼痛及大脑皮质兴奋性的影响

目的:观察重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)对脊髓损伤后神经性疼痛(NP)的治疗效果及其对脊髓损伤后大脑皮质兴奋性的影响。方法:本研究选取在我科住院治疗的不完全性脊髓损伤后神经性疼痛患者共32例,用随机数字表法将32例患者分为实验组和对照组,试验组(n=17)给予常规物理治疗及右侧大脑M1区rTMS治疗,对照组(n=15)给予常规物理治疗及右侧大脑M1区假刺激。两组治疗均为每天1次,每周6天,连续治疗4周。于治疗前、治疗4周后对两组患者进行视觉模拟评分(VAS)测试,并对右侧大脑半球的静息运动阈值(RMT)、运动诱发电位(MEP)进行测试及分析。结果:治疗4周后,试验组VAS评分降低,RMT波幅降低、MEP波幅增高,与对照组比较有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:rTMS能有效缓解脊髓损伤后神经性疼痛,其机制可能与大脑皮质兴奋性改变相关。     

针刺联合重复经颅磁刺激治疗颅脑损伤后认知功能障碍的临床研究

目的:观察针刺联合重复经颅磁刺激治疗对颅脑损伤后认知障碍患者的临床疗效。方法:颅脑损伤后认知障碍患者90例随机分为观察组和对照组各45例,观察组行针刺联合重复经颅磁刺激治疗,对照组行针刺联合重复经颅磁假刺激治疗。治疗前和治疗3周后,2组患者分别采用简易智力状态检查量表(MMSE)、蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)、数字符号测试(DSST)、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)及同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)评定患者认知功能。结果:治疗后,2组MMSE、MoCA及DSST评分均较治疗前显著提高(均P<0.01),且观察组均明显高于对照组(均P<0.01);2组PSQI评分及Hcy浓度均较治疗前显著下降(均P<0.01),且观察组均明显低于对照组(均P<0.01)。结论:针刺联合重复经颅磁刺激可以有效提高颅脑损伤患者的认知功能,并提升睡眠效果。     

重复经颅磁刺激对不完全性脊髓损伤患者的临床疗效观察

目的:观察重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)治疗C4～T12平面不完全性脊髓损伤患者神经性疼痛和脊髓功能独立性的疗效。方法:招募C4～T12平面脊髓损伤(ASIA C/D级)患者48例,对入选患者随机区组法分为观察组和对照组,每组各24例。对照组患者在常规康复的基础上辅以安慰剂治疗(极低阈强度的经颅磁刺激治疗),观察组在常规康复的基础上辅以80%阈强度的经颅磁刺激治疗,分别于治疗前和治疗6个月后评估2组患者的脑皮质运动诱发电位(MEP)和静息运动阈值(RMT)、疼痛简化McGill疼痛问卷(SF-MPQ)和脊髓功能独立性评估量表Ⅲ(SCIM-Ⅲ)。结果:治疗6个月后,观察组MEP波幅较治疗前及对照组明显提高(P0.05),RMT较治疗前及对照组明显下降(P0.05);对照组MEP波幅和RMT治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义。治疗后,观察组患者SF-MPQ各项评分均较治疗前明显下降(均P0.05),其中PRI-S、PRI-T及VAS评分更低于对照组(均P0.05),PRI-A和PPI评分与对照组比较差异无统计学意义;对照组治疗前后SF-MPQ各项评分比较差异无统计学意义。治疗后,观察组患者SCIM-Ⅲ评分明显高于治疗前及对照组(均P0.05),对照组治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义。结论:在常规康复的基础上辅以重复经颅磁刺激可明显改善C4～T12节段不完全性脊髓损伤患者的神经性疼痛,提高患者运动功能独立性。     

夹脊电针治疗脊髓损伤伴神经病理性疼痛的效果

目的：分析夹脊电针辅助重复经颅磁刺激（r TMS）在老年不完全性脊髓损伤（ISCI）伴神经病理性疼痛患者中的效果。方法：采用随机数字表法将江西省万年县人民医院2018年3月至2023年3月收治的60例ISCI伴神经病理性疼痛患者分为对照组与观察组,每组30例。对照组给予r TMS治疗,观察组在对照组基础上加以夹脊电针治疗,持续治疗4周。比较两组临床疗效、疼痛介质水平、炎症介质水平及心理状态。结果：观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）;治疗后,观察组β-内啡肽（β-EP）水平、生活质量综合评定问卷（GQOLI-74）内各维度评分均高于对照组,5-羟色胺（5-HT）、前列腺素E2(PGE2)、降钙素原（PCT）、白细胞计数（WBC）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)及焦虑自评量表（SAS）、抑郁自评量表（SDS）评分均低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：夹脊电针辅助r TMS能够调节老年ISCI伴神经病理性疼痛患者体内疼痛介质释放,减轻炎症反应,缓解疼痛,改善其心理状态,提升生活质量。     

Effects of spinal cord stimulation on cortical excitability in patients with chronic neuropathic pain: A pilot study

BackgroundDespite a broad clinical use, the mechanism of action of SCS is poorly understood. Current information suggests that the effects of SCS are mediated by a complex set of interactions at several levels of the nervous system including spinal and supraspinal mechanisms.AimsThe study was undertaken to investigate the influence of SCS on distinct parameters of cortical excitability using single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).MethodsFive patients with chronic neuropathic pain were examined with the SCS stimulator on and off by means of TMS. Pain was assessed using a visual-analogue scale. Electrophysiological and pain parameters of patients during this procedure were compared by means of a linear mixed effect model.ResultsSCS induced a significant modulation of cortical excitability, especially by influencing the parameter “intracortical facilitation” (t = −2.657; df = 8; p = 0.029). A significant relationship between this parameter and “perceived pain” could be obtained (t = −4.798; df = 8; p = 0.002).ConclusionsThese results suggest that SCS is able to influence neurobiological processes at the supraspinal level and that clinical effects of SCS may be at least in part of cortical origin.     

Longstanding neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury is refractory to transcranial direct current stimulation: A randomized controlled trial

Neuropathic pain remains one of the most difficult consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) to manage. It is a major cause of suffering and adds to the physical, emotional, and societal impact of the injury. Despite the use of the best available treatments, two thirds of people experiencing neuropathic pain after SCI do not achieve satisfactory pain relief. This study was undertaken in response to a recent clinical trial reporting short-term, clinically significant reductions in neuropathic SCI pain with primary motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). In this investigation, we aimed to build on this previous clinical trial by extending the assessment period to determine the short-, medium-, and long-term efficacy of tDCS for the treatment of neuropathic pain after SCI. We found that, contrary to previous reports, after 5 tDCS treatment periods, mean pain intensity and unpleasantness rating were not significantly different from initial assessment. That is, in this trial tDCS did not provide any pain relief in subjects with neuropathic SCI pain (n = 10). A similar lack of effect was also seen after sham treatment. Because the injury duration in this study was significantly greater than that of previous investigations, it is possible that tDCS is an effective analgesic only in individuals with relatively recent injuries and pain. Future investigations comparing a range of injury durations are required if we are to determine whether this is indeed the case.     

脊髓损伤患者神经病理性疼痛现况调查及相关影响因素分析

目的 调查脊髓损伤患者神经病理性疼痛（NP）现况,并分析其相关影响因素。 方法 先用DN4量表在所有诊断为脊髓损伤的患者中筛选出伴有NP的患者,搜集70例脊髓损伤伴NP患者的性别、年龄、文化程度、职业、平均月收入、损伤部位、婚姻状态等一般调查资料,然后再对筛选出来的患者用简化的McGill疼痛问卷表（SF-MPQ）进行NP现况调查,记录患者的疼痛目测类比法（VAS）评分以及疼痛评级指数(PRI),包括PRI-感觉项、PRI-情感项及PEI等平均得分;采用SPSS13.0统计软件对患者的基本资料进行单因素和多因素统计分析,分析患者NP的影响因素。 结果 ①患者的平均疼痛目测类比法（VAS）评分4.37分;SF-MPQ调查的平均PRI得分8.23分,PRI-感觉项平均得分5.2 3分,PRI-情感项平均得分3.00分;现在疼痛强度(PPI)平均程度为1.86,PPI介于轻痛和难受之间,PPI中出现最多的是难受这个描述词。疼痛描述词按出现频率排在前三位的是刺痛、烧灼痛和坠胀痛。有60例（85.7%）患者认为疼痛对其情感状态造成影响,出现最多的是疲惫耗竭感这个描述词。②单因素分析显示损伤程度、文化程度、婚姻状况、家庭人均月收入、家人支持与否以及是否用药是NP的影响因素（P<0.01）,而性别、年龄、病程、损伤部位、职业等因素与VAS评分无明显相关性（P>0.05）;多因素Logistic回归分析显示,未婚、损伤程度重为NP的独立保护因素（OR＜1）,家庭人均月收入低、没有家人支持、没有用药为NP的独立危险因素（OR＞1）。 结论 脊髓损伤患者NP感觉多样,疼痛程度中等,绝大多数患者情感状态受到影响;未婚和损伤程度重为独立保护因素,家庭人均月收入低、没有家人支持及没有用药为其独立危险因素。     

Referred sensations and neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury

It has been proposed that painful and non-painful referred sensations (RSs) are associated with reorganization of sensory pathways in patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI). In order to investigate the referred sensation (RS) phenomenon and its correlation with neuropathic pain (NP) 48 patients with complete SCI, 24 with chronic NP and 24 without pain or paraesthesias were studied using clinical examination and neurophysiological tests. Patients reporting RSs were re-examined at 2 and 10 weeks after the first examination. We defined the presence of RS as sensations perceived below the injury level in response to touch and pinprick stimuli in various body points above the injury level. The examination was carried out by one researcher applying the stimuli to the patient under two visual conditions (open and closed eyes), and then asking the patient to make tactile self-stimulation. Seven patients with SCI and NP (29%) reported RS below the injury level. RS were well located and consistently evoked at repeated examinations. Touch and pinprick stimulation elicited similar RS that were non-painful in six patients and painful in one. Visual feedback did not change RS perception and characteristics. None of the patients in the SCI group without NP presented RS. In conclusion, our results indicate that RS is relatively frequent in patients with complete SCI and NP. The common occurrence of RS in patients with NP and the location of the sensations in the same area as NP suggest that pain and RS share common pathophysiological mechanisms.     

Combined approaches for the relief of spinal cord injury-induced neuropathic pain

The adequate treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced neuropathic pain still remains an unresolved problem. The current medications predominantly used in the SCI-induced neuropathic pain therapy are morphine, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and antiepileptics, which suggests that psychiatric aspects might be important factors in the treatment of neuropathic pain.It is well documented that the modulation of the sensory events is not a unique way for achieving pain relief. In addition, pain patients still express dissatisfaction and complain of unwanted effects of the medications, suggesting that alternative approaches for the treatment of neuropathic pain are essential. In psychiatry, pain relief represents relaxation and a feeling of comfort and satisfaction, which suggests that cognitive and emotional motivations are important factors in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The comorbidity of chronic pain and psychiatric disorders, which is well recognized, suggests that the effective therapeutic relief for neuropathic pain induced by SCI can be achieved in conjunction with the management of the sensory and psychiatric aspects of patient.In this review, we address the feasibility of a combined acupuncture and pharmacotherapy treatment for the relief of neuropathic pain behavior following SCI.     

Efficacy of spinal cord stimulation for neuropathic pain: assessment by abstinence

Assessment of the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) against neuropathic pain remains problematic. Some patients may underestimate this, as revealed by their reaction to stimulator malfunction. This study investigated whether abstinence from SCS would provide an indication of its effectiveness. Patients were invited to complete two brief questionnaires each day for 50 days including two periods of 14 days without stimulation. Pain level, sleep quality, activity level and drug intake were recorded. Of 75 patients thought to be using their stimulators, 12 did not respond to the invitation, eight had unresolved technical problems and one no longer needed SCS. Of the 54 remaining, 10 did not wish to be without SCS and 15 declined without giving a reason. Thus 29 agreed to take part but three then dropped out through illness and questionnaires were not received from 10. Ten returned completed questionnaires but failed to follow the protocol; five of these were unable to leave their stimulators off. Only six took part correctly. Twenty of the 29 had received a preliminary explanatory home visit and for nine this was done by telephone. The former produced a considerably higher yield. All six who completed the study correctly had statistically significantly lower pain scores during stimulation. Four had improved sleep but only one reduced his medication and none of the six increased their activity levels. Correlation with previous clinical assessments is discussed. It is concluded that the abstinence principle might provide a useful tool but its power is very methodology-dependent.     

Successful pain relief in non-responders to spinal cord stimulation: The combined use of ketamine and spinal cord stimulation

Although spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established therapy for chronic neuropathic pain, still 30% of patients do not respond adequately to trial stimulation. These so called “non-responders” do not receive a permanent implantation for pain relief.The induction and maintenance of central sensitization plays a pivotal role in (chronic) neuropathic pain and is thought to be the resultant of the activation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the dorsal horn. Blocking the NMDA receptor through the use of the non-competitive blocker ketamine has shown to attenuate neuropathic pain, although the undesirable side effects limit its use. The present study was performed to examine whether the combination of SCS with an individually determined sub-effective dose of intrathecal (i.t.) ketamine could convert non-responders into responders in rats with chronic neuropathic pain. Rats received a partial ligation of the sciatic nerve for the induction of neuropathic pain. Animals with tactile hypersensitivity to von Frey monofilaments (n = 15) received 30 min of SCS. Non-responders to SCS (n = 8) received their individually determined sub-effective i.t. dose of ketamine followed by 30 min of SCS. No side effects of the sub-effective dose of ketamine could be noted. The combined treatment of SCS and sub-effective dose of i.t. ketamine in non-responders resulted in a significant reduction of the withdrawal threshold in all previous non-responders to SCS, thereby converting them into responders to SCS.     

Thalamic activity and biochemical changes in individuals with neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

There is increasing evidence relating thalamic changes to the generation and/or maintenance of neuropathic pain. We have recently reported that neuropathic orofacial pain is associated with altered thalamic anatomy, biochemistry, and activity, which may result in disturbed thalamocortical oscillatory circuits. Despite this evidence, it is possible that these thalamic changes are not responsible for the presence of pain per se, but result as a consequence of the injury. To clarify this subject, we compared brain activity and biochemistry in 12 people with below-level neuropathic pain after complete thoracic spinal cord injury with 11 people with similar injuries and no neuropathic pain and 21 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. Quantitative arterial spinal labelling was used to measure thalamic activity, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine changes in neuronal variability quantifying N-acetylaspartate and alterations in inhibitory function quantifying gamma amino butyric acid. This study revealed that the presence of neuropathic pain is associated with significant changes in thalamic biochemistry and neuronal activity. More specifically, the presence of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury is associated with significant reductions in thalamic N-acetylaspartate, gamma amino butyric acid content, and blood flow in the region of the thalamic reticular nucleus. Spinal cord injury on its own did not account for these changes. These findings support the hypothesis that neuropathic pain is associated with altered thalamic structure and function, which may disturb central processing and play a key role in the experience of neuropathic pain.