Brain stimulation for polymyositis safe and effective

new study from 2021 – Abstract translated and summarized

In one study, patients with myositis (an inflammation of the muscles) were divided into two groups: one group received active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), while the other received sham tDCS treatment. Both groups showed comparable demographics, myositis types, disease duration, and disease status.

Results showed that after treatments:

– Both groups showed improvements in pain intensity (as measured by the patient’s VAS score) and serum creatine phosphokinase levels, indicating a reduction in muscle inflammation.
– In the active tDCS group, there were additional improvements in physical aspects (measured with the SF-36 questionnaire) and lower limb muscle strength.

There were no significant differences between groups in anxiety (STAI), depression (BDI), or mobility (TUG). All patients fully adhered to the treatment protocoland there were no adverse events or disease relapses

Conclusion

The study shows that tDCS is safe and may potentially improve rehabilitation for myositis. However, further research with more participants and longer treatment periods is needed to confirm these results.

actually a ridiculously small case report of 3 patients, one of whom was treated with tDCS and got better after only 3 treatments, while the 2 control patients – who only received placebo therapy – didn’t get any better.

Crucial: no side effects

Study 2020 from Sao Paolo

by ChatGPT

Title: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Is Safe and Relieves Post-Herpetic Neuralgia in Patient with Dermatomyositis: A Case Report</strong > (2022)

• Background: This case report describes the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in a patient with dermatomyositis who suffered from refractory postherpetic neuralgia. It is emphasized that tDCS is safe and does not lead to disease relapse.
• Patient: The 49-year-old white woman has been treated for dermatomyositis since 2016. She received various therapies including methylprednisolone, immunoglobulin, immunosuppressants, and immunobiologics. In 2019, she developed a herpes zoster infection and subsequently post-herpetic neuralgia, which persisted despite treatment with gabapentin, duloxetine and pregabalin.
• TDCS treatment: Due to inadequate pain control with medications, the patient underwent five daily tDCS sessions with a current of 2 mA for 20 minutes for five consecutive days. The electrodes were positioned according to the 10/20 International EEG system.
• Concomitant exercises: During the tDCS sessions, the patient performed systematic exercises, including aerobics and resistance training.
• Results: The disease was assessed using various scales and tests. A reduction in pain and its variants was noted. The patient reported no differences in her physical activity and did not perform a structured exercise program after the intervention.
• Discussion: The report highlights the safety and effectiveness of tDCS in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in a patient with dermatomyositis and suggests that further studies are needed to confirm these results.< /li>