Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) versus transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the management of patients with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on pain and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.MethodsThirty participants were randomized into two groups of 15 patients, to receive 3 sessions of either high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS or 2 mA, 20 min anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) over 1 week. Pain was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before treatment, immediately after treatment, 6 and 12 weeks later. Quality of life was evaluated using the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) and psychiatric symptoms were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 Item (DASS-21) before treatment, and 6 and 12 weeks after treatment.ResultsFor the VAS there was a significant time-group interaction, showing that the behavior of two groups differed regarding changes of VAS in favor of the RTMS group (df = 1.73, F = 4.80, p = <0.016). Time-group interaction effect on DASS-21 and FIQR was not significant. 66.6% of patients in rTMS group and 26.6% of patients in tDCS group experienced at least a 30% reduction of VAS from baseline to last follow-up (p = 0.028).DiscussionWith the methodology used in this study, both rTMS and tDCS were safe modalities and three sessions of rTMS over DLPFC had greater and longer lasting analgesic effects compared to tDCS in patients with FM. However, considering the limitations of this study, further studies are needed to explore the most effective modality.     

Electroencephalographic connectivity predicts clinical response to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with insomnia disorder

BackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests that low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which generally decreases cortical excitability and remodels plastic connectivity, improves sleep quality in patients with insomnia disorder. However, the effects of rTMS vary substantially across individuals and treatment is sometimes unsatisfactory, calling for biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether functional connectivity of the target network in electroencephalography is associated with the clinical response to low frequency rTMS in patients with insomnia disorder.MethodsTwenty-five patients with insomnia disorder were subjected to 10 sessions of treatment with 1 Hz rTMS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Resting-state electroencephalography was collected before rTMS. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Mini-Mental State Exam were performed before and after rTMS treatment, with a follow-up after one month. Electroencephalographic connectivity was measured by the power envelope connectivity at the source level. Partial least squares regression identified models of connectivity that maximally accounted for the rTMS response.ResultsScores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were decreased after rTMS and one-month later. Baseline weaker connectivity of a network in the beta and alpha bands between a brain region approximating the stimulated right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and areas located in the frontal, insular, and limbic cortices was associated with a greater change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale following rTMS.ConclusionsLow frequency rTMS could improve sleep quality and depressive moods in patients with insomnia disorder. Moreover, electroencephalographic functional connectivity would potentially be a robust biomarker for predicting the therapeutic effects.     

The impact of individual electrical fields and anatomical factors on the neurophysiological outcomes of tDCS: A TMS-MEP and MRI study

BackgroundTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a neuromodulatory non-invasive brain stimulation technique, has shown promising results in basic and clinical studies. The known interindividual variability of the effects, however, limits the efficacy of the technique. Recently we reported neurophysiological effects of tDCS applied over the primary motor cortex at the group level, based on data from twenty-nine participants who received 15min of either sham, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 mA anodal, or cathodal tDCS. The neurophysiological effects were evaluated via changes in: 1) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor evoked potentials (MEP), and 2) cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) via arterial spin labeling (ASL). At the group level, dose-dependent effects of the intervention were obtained, which however displayed interindividual variability.MethodIn the present study, we investigated the cause of the observed inter-individual variability. To this end, for each participant, a MRI-based realistic head model was designed to 1) calculate anatomical factors and 2) simulate the tDCS- and TMS-induced electrical fields (EFs). We first investigated at the regional level which individual anatomical factors explained the simulated EFs (magnitude and normal component). Then, we explored which specific anatomical and/or EF factors predicted the neurophysiological outcomes of tDCS.ResultsThe results highlight a significant negative correlation between regional electrode-to-cortex distance (rECD) as well as regional CSF (rCSF) thickness, and the individual EF characteristics. In addition, while both rCSF thickness and rECD anticorrelated with tDCS-induced physiological changes, EFs positively correlated with the effects.ConclusionThese results provide novel insights into the dependency of the neuromodulatory effects of tDCS on individual physical factors.     

State and Trait Anxiety of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective This study examined how state and trait anxiety of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with their demographic characteristics, repetitive and restricted behaviors (RRBs), and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Methods A total of 96 participants with ASD (mean age=14.30 years; 91 males) completed a battery of tests including the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and a cognitive test measuring intelligence quotient (IQ). Participants’ parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Pearson’s correlations among age, IQ, two subscales of the STAI (i.e., STAIS and STAIT, measuring self-reported state and trait anxiety, respectively), and the Anxiety subscale of CBCL (i.e., CBCL-Anxiety, measuring parent-reported trait anxiety) were computed. Subsequently, Pearson’s correlations were computed among the three anxiety measures, RRBs, and problem behaviors, while controlling for participants’ age and IQ. Results The STAIS and CBCL-Anxiety were both significantly correlated with higher age, sensory sensitivity, depressive symptoms, somatic complaints, and aggressive behaviors. All three anxiety variables were significantly and positively correlated with total SRS RRB scores. Additionally, the STAIS and STAIT were significantly associated with more severe Compulsion/Adherence behaviors, and the CBCL-Anxiety was also significantly associated with more severe Rule-breaking Behaviors. Conclusion Self-reported state anxiety showed association patterns similar to those of parent-reported trait anxiety. Future studies investigating the precise operationalization of different anxiety instruments are needed to accurately measure the anxiety of adolescents with ASD.     

比较两种方法在新生儿苯丙酮尿症筛查中的应用

目的比较串联质谱（tandemmassspectrometry,TMS）技术与茚三酮荧光法在苯丙酮尿症（phenylketonuria,PKU）筛查中的准确性。方法采用茚三酮荧光法对166247例PKU标本进行初筛,初查阳性标本均采用茚三酮荧光法和串联质谱技术复查,复查阳性者召回采血后统一再用上述两种方法进行检测,通过卡方检验统计比较两种方法的复查阳性率,探讨这两种方法在苯丙酮尿症筛查中的应用。根据血中Phe浓度进行鉴别诊断。结果（1）166247例新生儿初查阳性1152例,初查阳性率为6．93‰;（2）茚三酮荧光法和TMs技术的复查阳性率分别为14．58％、3．91％,两种方法比较具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;（3）复查阳性者召回采血后统一再用上述两种方法进行检测,均确诊HPA3例,发病率为1：55415,其中经典型PKU2例,高苯丙氨酸血症1例。结论TMS技术能更快速、更准确地监测血苯丙氨酸水平,更适合用于PKU筛查,可有效地开展筛查的阳性召回工作及缓解家庭的精神压力。     

康复护理干预联合重复经颅磁对脑卒中后失眠患者的临床观察

目的:观察康复护理干预联合重复经颅磁对脑卒中后失眠治疗的临床疗效。方法:选取2016年11月至2017年9月武汉市汉口医院康复科收治的脑卒中后失眠患者90例作为研究对象,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组45例。对照组采用常规护理配合重复经颅磁治疗。观察组进行康复护理干预配合重复经颅磁治疗。结果:观察组总有效率93%,对照组总有效率86%,观察组明显优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:采用康复护理干预联合重复经颅磁治疗脑卒中后失眠患者有较好的临床疗效,患者生命质量提高,可行性和安全性较高。     

Exposure and response prevention therapy with cognitive defusion exercises to reduce repetitive and restrictive behaviors displayed by children with autism spectrum disorder

Repetitive and restrictive behaviors are disruptive in children with autism spectrum disorder. Exposure is an evidence-based approach to these problems and is hypothesized to work in part by enabling rule testing that undermines rule control. The present study undermined rule control more directly through cognitive defusion exercises. Experiment 1 used a multiple baseline across participants design to assess the effects of a cognitive defusion exercise in the form of word repetition and exposure on problem behavior associated with repetitive and restrictive behaviors observed in children with autism spectrum disorder. All 3 participants demonstrated a decrease in the percentage of problem behavior following the implementation of treatment which remained at near zero during a 3-month follow-up. Experiment 2 used an alternating treatments design to compare a cognitive defusion exercise and exposure to a control exercise and exposure. All except 1 of the participants displayed larger and quicker decreases in problem behavior during the cognitive defusion exercise condition compared to the control exercise condition. The results suggest that cognitive defusion exercises can enhance the treatment effects of exposure to decrease problem behavior associated with repetitive and restrictive behaviors.     

重复经颅磁刺激治疗卒中后抑郁疗效的脑功能磁共振评价

目的：探讨磁共振波谱成像(MRS)及扩散张量成像(DTI)用于评价重复经颅磁刺激治疗卒中后抑郁疗效的价值。方法将40例脑卒中后抑郁患者根据随机数表法分为观察组和对照组各20例,另选择20例作为健康志愿者。对照组应用文拉法辛治疗,150 mg/d,缓释片顿服。观察组给予文拉法辛合并重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)治疗。比较两组患者治疗前后的汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评分、MRS、DTI指标的变化及其与健康志愿者的差异。结果(1)治疗后,两组患者的HAMD评分均明显降低,且观察组患者改善更显著,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);(2)治疗前,两组患者的额叶、颞叶及基底节区各向异性分数(FA)值均明显低于健康志愿者,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后10 d,观察组额叶及颞叶FA值明显升高,与治疗前及对照组比较差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);(3)治疗前,两组额叶、颞叶及基底节区NAA/(Cho+Cr)、NAA/Cr值均明显低于健康志愿者,Cho/Cr显著高于健康志愿者,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后10 d,观察组额叶及颞叶NAA/(Cho+Cr)、NAA/Cr值明显升高,Cho/Cr明显降低,与治疗前及对照组比较差异均具有统计学意义( P<0.05)。结论重复经颅磁刺激治疗卒中后抑郁疗效可靠,应用MRS及DTI可以对其进行评价。     

高频重复经颅磁刺激对躯体化障碍的治疗效果

目的 观察高频重复经颅磁刺激（10 Hz,rTMS）对躯体化障碍患者的治疗效果。方法 74 例躯体化障碍患者随机分为研究组（rTMS）38 例和对照组（舍曲林）36 例,治疗8 周。研究组给予10 Hz rTMS 治疗,对照组给予抗抑郁剂舍曲林。两组患者在基线时和治疗后每隔2 周各测评汉密尔顿抑郁量表24 项（HAMD－24）及不良反应量表（TESS）。以HAMD 减分率评价疗效、TESS 评价不良反应。结果 治疗8 周后,两组HAMD－24 评分和疗效比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;在各时期不良反应量表评定中,研究组均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 高频重复经颅磁刺激和舍曲林治疗躯体化障碍的疗效相当,前者的不良反应较少。