Trial Outcomes & Findings for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treating Women With Chronic Widespread Pain (NCT NCT00524420)

NCT ID: NCT00524420

Last Updated: 2013-05-23

Results Overview

The BIRS is reliable, valid, and sensitive measure that has been used in a number of studies of analgesics and studies of changes of pain intensity over time and was selected as the primary outcome variable. Each scale is a 20 point scale that has clear anchor points. Patients will be classified as responders if they have a 4 point drop or more on the BIRS. In order to be randomized, subjects were to have had a BIRS score of at least 8. Lower scores indicate less pain and higher scores indicate more pain. This measure was administered once a week at Baseline, at the end of weeks 1, 2, and 3 of TMS treatment, and 1 week post-TMS treatment.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

19 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Measured weekly

Results posted on

2013-05-23

Participant Flow

The study was conducted between January 2008 and November 2010. Subjects were recruited from advertisements, referrals, and from a University of Washington clinic that specializes in Fibromyalgia.

493 subjects were screened over the phone. 31 subjects came into the clinic for an initial screening visit. Subjects were allowed to maintain stable doses of medication and psychotherapy. 12 of the screened subjects did not meet criteria for randomization. The remaining 19 were randomized, and 18 completed the study.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Active rTMS
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Sham rTMS
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Overall Study
STARTED
8
11
Overall Study
COMPLETED
7
11
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
1
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Active rTMS
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Sham rTMS
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Overall Study
Lack of Efficacy
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treating Women With Chronic Widespread Pain

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Active rTMS
n=8 Participants
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Sham rTMS
n=11 Participants
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Total
n=19 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
11 Participants
n=7 Participants
19 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age Continuous
54.86 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.65 • n=5 Participants
52.09 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.02 • n=7 Participants
53.17 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.10 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
11 Participants
n=7 Participants
19 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
8 participants
n=5 Participants
11 participants
n=7 Participants
19 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured weekly

The BIRS is reliable, valid, and sensitive measure that has been used in a number of studies of analgesics and studies of changes of pain intensity over time and was selected as the primary outcome variable. Each scale is a 20 point scale that has clear anchor points. Patients will be classified as responders if they have a 4 point drop or more on the BIRS. In order to be randomized, subjects were to have had a BIRS score of at least 8. Lower scores indicate less pain and higher scores indicate more pain. This measure was administered once a week at Baseline, at the end of weeks 1, 2, and 3 of TMS treatment, and 1 week post-TMS treatment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Sham rTMS
n=11 Participants
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Active rTMS
n=7 Participants
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Gracely Box Intensity Rating Scale
Baseline
13.18 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.79
14.43 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.23
Gracely Box Intensity Rating Scale
TMS Treatment Week 1
10.64 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.41
13.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.46
Gracely Box Intensity Rating Scale
TMS Treatment Week 2
10.27 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.80
11.29 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.75
Gracely Box Intensity Rating Scale
TMS Treatment Week 3
8.45 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.11
10.58 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.07
Gracely Box Intensity Rating Scale
1 Week Post TMS
8.60 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.56
10.50 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.96

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured weekly

The BURS is reliable, valid, and sensitive measure that has been used in a number of studies of analgesics and studies of changes of pain unpleasantness over time. Each scale is a 20 point scale that has clear anchor points. Pain unpleasantness is different from pain intensity in that it assesses the affective and not the somatic aspect of the pain. Lower scores indicate less unpleasantness of pain and higher scores indicate more unpleasantness of pain. This measure was administered at Baseline, after weeks 1, 2, and 3 of TMS treatment, and 1 week post-TMS.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Sham rTMS
n=11 Participants
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Active rTMS
n=7 Participants
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Gracely Box Unpleasantness Scale
Baseline
9.91 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.77
12.57 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.72
Gracely Box Unpleasantness Scale
TMS Treatment Week 1
8.73 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.32
11.86 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.38
Gracely Box Unpleasantness Scale
TMS Treatment Week 2
9.00 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.85
10.43 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.61
Gracely Box Unpleasantness Scale
TMS Treatment Week 3
7.73 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.13
9.50 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.50
Gracely Box Unpleasantness Scale
1 Week Post TMS
7.60 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.84
9.83 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.05

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured weekly

The research coordinator administered the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 item to assess the level of depression on a weekly basis at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3 of TMS treatment and 1 week post-TMS treatment. Higher scores indicate a higher level of depression. Scores range from 0-50 and scores greater than 20 generally indicate moderate depression. Scores between 0-7 are considered normal.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Sham rTMS
n=11 Participants
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Active rTMS
n=7 Participants
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Baseline
14.64 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.34
14.71 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.55
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
TMS Treatment Week 1
11.18 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.60
15.43 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.38
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
TMS Treatment Week 2
9.09 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.13
11.86 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.96
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
TMS Treatment Week 3
8.36 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.01
10.83 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.78
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
1 Week Post TMS
7.45 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.30
8.67 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.25

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured daily

Adverse events (AEs) were collected by open report of emergent symptoms or illness during the study. This form is filled out during baseline, daily before each TMS session by the trained physician administering the TMS, and at each follow-up visit.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Sham rTMS
n=8 Participants
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Active rTMS
n=11 Participants
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Adverse Events
36 number of adverse events
35 number of adverse events

Adverse Events

Active rTMS

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 5 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Sham rTMS

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 5 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Active rTMS
n=8 participants at risk
rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions at 120% motor threshold rTMS to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Sham rTMS
n=11 participants at risk
Sham rTMS : 10 Hz, 4-second trains, 26-second intertrain interval, 75 trains/session, 15 sessions of sham rTMS
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
pain at the site of stimulation
50.0%
4/8
27.3%
3/11
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
increased muscle aches
25.0%
2/8
9.1%
1/11
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
increased fatigue
12.5%
1/8
9.1%
1/11
Nervous system disorders
headache
62.5%
5/8
45.5%
5/11
Nervous system disorders
insomnia
25.0%
2/8
9.1%
1/11
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
tingling sensation in scalp during stimulation
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Nervous system disorders
dizziness
12.5%
1/8
9.1%
1/11
Nervous system disorders
confusion
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
tiredness after session
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Nervous system disorders
shakiness
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Psychiatric disorders
anxiety
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
lightheadedness after session
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Psychiatric disorders
poor concentration
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Psychiatric disorders
"fuzzy-headed" after TMS
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Nervous system disorders
migraine
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
pain in teeth during stimulation
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Nervous system disorders
drowsiness
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Psychiatric disorders
feeling more "distant, detached"
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Psychiatric disorders
flat affect
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
twitching of eye
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
pain in jaw
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Infections and infestations
sore throat
12.5%
1/8
9.1%
1/11
Infections and infestations
coryza
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Infections and infestations
cough
12.5%
1/8
9.1%
1/11
Infections and infestations
sinus headache
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Infections and infestations
flu
25.0%
2/8
0.00%
0/11
Infections and infestations
viral infection
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Ear and labyrinth disorders
tinnitus
12.5%
1/8
9.1%
1/11
Infections and infestations
sinus infection
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
General disorders
dry mouth
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Infections and infestations
sinus congestion
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Infections and infestations
sinus drainage
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Gastrointestinal disorders
nausea
25.0%
2/8
9.1%
1/11
Gastrointestinal disorders
abdominal pain
25.0%
2/8
9.1%
1/11
Gastrointestinal disorders
diarrhea
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
sebaceous cyst on thigh
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
TMJ pain
12.5%
1/8
0.00%
0/11
Cardiac disorders
heart palpitations
0.00%
0/8
18.2%
2/11
Eye disorders
dry eyes
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
pain in thumb
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
pain in shoulder
0.00%
0/8
9.1%
1/11

Additional Information

David H. Avery, MD, Professor

University of Washington

Phone: 206-744-4527

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place