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Neurophysiology of Fibromyalgia
Sponsor: McMaster University
Summary
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome associated with fatigue and chronic pain, leading to significant physical limitations and impaired quality of life. There are several challenges that complicate the diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia. The etiology is not well defined, as there are several proposed factors that may trigger the genesis of pain in fibromyalgia including physical and/or emotional life stressors, and genetic predispositions involving neuromodulator pathways. Chronic pain in fibromyalgia arises in the absence of tissue pathology, and consequently a lack of consensus on reliable diagnostic criteria. Understanding the neurophysiology of fibromyalgia would aid in the discovery of objective biomarkers for diagnosis. Therefore, the goals of this study are to: 1. Compare the neurophysiological responses in fibromyalgia compared to healthy controls. 2. Determine whether a two-week cTMS protocol will alter pain in individuals with fibromyalgia.
Official title: Investigating the Neurobiological Contributions to Pain in Patients With Fibromyalgia
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
36
Start Date
2024-02-01
Completion Date
2025-12-31
Last Updated
2026-06-03
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Active Controlled Pulse Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (cTMS)
cTMS is a non-invasive, non-painful procedure used to relieve chronic pain and promote short-term changes. The first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle of the left motor cortex will be targeted using neuronavigation software. 2000 pulses will be delivered at 10 Hz stimulation. Stimulation will be delivered at 80% of the resting motor threshold obtained from the right FDI muscle. The delivery of cTMS requires 11 minutes in total.
Sham Controlled Pulse Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (cTMS)
A sham coil will be utilized for the sham cTMS condition. It is important to note that from the participant perspective, the sham stimulation will feel and sound identical to active. The location and all other parameters of Sham cTMS will be identical to Active cTMS.
Locations (1)
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada