Non-Invasive Electric and Magnetic Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Although fibromyalgia is defined by its core muscular nociceptive component, it also includes multiple dysfunctions that involve the musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, immune, endocrine, as well as the central and peripheral nervous systems, amongst others. The pathogenic involvement of the nervous system and the numerous neurological and neuroinflammatory symptoms of this disease may benefit from neuromodulatory stimulation techniques that have been shown to be effective and safe in diverse nervous system pathologies. In this systematic review, we outline current evidence showing the potential of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as therapeutic strategies in fibromyalgia. In addition, we evaluate the contribution of these tools to the exploration of the neurophysiological characteristics of fibromyalgia. Considering that the pathogenesis of this disease is unknown, these approaches do not aim to causally treat this syndrome, but to significantly reduce a range of key symptoms and thus improve the quality of life of the patients.

Automated summary

Although fibromyalgia is primarily characterized by muscular pain, it also involves dysfunctions in various bodily systems. Neuromodulatory stimulation techniques have shown potential in treating the neurological symptoms of fibromyalgia. In this review, we discuss the use of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques as therapeutic strategies and their contribution to understanding the neurophysiological characteristics of fibromyalgia. While these approaches do not aim to cure the syndrome, they can significantly improve patients' quality of life by reducing key symptoms.