Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Stimulus Controllability on Pain Perception

Summary

Although transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is now considered a minimal risk intervention, is approved for the treatment of depression, and is widely used around the world, little is known about mechanisms of action of prefrontal rTMS for depression or pain. There is some evidence that the prefrontal cortex is involved in perception of control and may moderate the effects of perceived controllability on emotional reactivity to painful stimuli. The present study aims to investigate the effects of prefrontal rTMS and perceived controllability on pain perception in healthy adults.

Conditions

• Chronic Pain

Interventions

DEVICE

Operator Role Real TMS

In two of the four visits, the participant will be assigned to the operator condition receiving Real TMS. The participant will be assigned a partner and both participants will participate in a numeric-combination-guessing task. Performance on this task will be directly related to the painfulness of a series of thermal stimuli that participants receive. The "operator's" performance will control the painfulness delivered to both participants. Each participant will play each role twice.

DEVICE

Receiver Role Real TMS

In two of the four visits, the participant will be assigned to the receiver condition receiving Real TMS. The participant will be assigned a partner and both participants will participate in a numeric-combination-guessing task. Performance on this task will be directly related to the painfulness of a series of thermal stimuli that participants receive. The "receiver's" performance on the task will be unrelated to his/her stimulus painfulness. Each participant will play each role twice.

DEVICE

Operator Role Sham TMS

In two of the four visits, the participant will be assigned to the operator condition receiving Sham TMS. The participant will be assigned a partner and both participants will participate in a numeric-combination-guessing task. Performance on this task will be directly related to the painfulness of a series of thermal stimuli that participants receive. The "operator's" performance will control the painfulness delivered to both participants. Each participant will play each role twice.

DEVICE

Receiver Role Sham TMS

In two of the four visits, the participant will be assigned to the receiver condition receiving Sham TMS. The participant will be assigned a partner and both participants will participate in a numeric-combination-guessing task. Performance on this task will be directly related to the painfulness of a series of thermal stimuli that participants receive. The "receiver's" performance on the task will be unrelated to his/her stimulus painfulness. Each participant will play each role twice.

DEVICE

All Participants Operator Role

All participants in Operator Role (Receiving real or sham TMS)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of South Carolina

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jeffrey J Borckardt, PhD · Medical University of South Carolina

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2009-10-31

Primary Completion

2010-01-31

Completion

2010-02-28

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations