Pain neuroscience education versus transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation in the management of patients with fibromyalgia

Aim of the work

To evaluate the effectiveness of pain neuroscience education (PNE) and transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) for fibromyalgia (FM) patients, as one of the chronic pain treatment modalities.

Patients and methods

The study was conducted on 99 patients that were divided into 3 groups (n = 33 each): Patients in group A received 6 sessions of tVNS twice weekly (25 Hz for 30 min), group B received 6 sessions of tVNS twice weekly (25 Hz for 30 min) and 3 sessions of PNE once weekly (for 30 min) and group C received 3 sessions of PNE once weekly (for 30 min). The follow up done immediately after the end of the sessions by Visual Analogue Scale score, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Pain catastrophizing scale questionnaire (PCS-Q, Pain DETECT questionnaire (PD-Q) and state trait anxiety inventory (STAI Q) self-reported questionnaire.

Results

The mean age of patients was 33.3 ± 8.2 years and they were 86 females and 13 males (F:M 6.6: 1) and the 3 groups were matched for age (p = 0.15) and gender (p = 0.13). During the procedures no side effects were encountered. The 3 groups showed significant improvement of FM symptoms assessed by VAS, FIQ, PCS-Q, PD-Q and STAI-Q (state and trait), but group B showed the best results percentage of improvement (60%, 34.4%, 54.2%, 40%, 51.1% and 52,2% respectively).

Conclusion

Combined tVNS and PNE are more effective than PNE alone or VNS alone in management of FM. Further studies with long term follow up to assess the long-term effect of tVNS or PNE.