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In patients with fibromyalgia transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) provides significant pain relief that can last for several weeks.This technique has rare and minimal adverse effects shows the studies made at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Studies have been made through 32 women with fibromyalgia and moderate to severe pain into three groups: one group received tDCS of the primary motor cortex, another received tDCS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the third received sham stimulation.Patients received a 2 mA current for 20 minutes for 5 days or sham stimulation delivered on the same schedule. Before and after tDCS using a visual analog scale, the presence of tender points, the patient's global assessment and the clinician's assessment pain levels were assessed.After this study the investigators have reported that tDCS of the primary motor cortex was significantly more effective for pain relief than tDCS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or sham stimulation.The similarly lower levels of pain relief have been achieved also by the latter two groups. The effects of tDCS persisted through the 21-day follow-up period.At patients who are very refractory to other types of medical treatment the improvement have been seen as a very significant reduction in pain.A reduction of pain might be associated with an improvement in the motor function .The motor cortex stimulation leads to a decrease in reaction time in the contralateral limb. The synaptic effects induced by this technique might explain the sustained effects of this technique.The phenomenon observed during learning - the long-term potentiation (LTP) is similar with a synaptic effect caused by the direct current stimulation.It have been observed that five sessions of tDCS increased the magnitude and duration of these effects. Local reactions such as transient mild skin redness in the site of application, sleepiness during the session and dizziness after stimulation have been met to a minority of subjects.tDCS is a simple, non-expensive technique of non-invasive brain stimulation that has shown to be a powerful technique of brain activity modulation since the 50s and 60s.In the future this technique might have a significant impact in neuropsychiatry. If you want to find out more information about http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com please visit this website. You will also find valuable information about Fibromyalgia symptoms and Fibromyalgia treatment.
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