Low-frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Reduce Visceral Pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea Using Medial Prefrontal Cortex Targeting

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), focusing on chronic visceral pain and how brain activity contributes to this pain. The trial aims to identify key brain regions responsible for visceral pain and to understand how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) might reduce this pain. Forty-two IBS-D patients participated, with some undergoing brain imaging before treatment to support the research. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving low-frequency rTMS applied to the mPFC daily for 20 minutes over two weeks, and the other receiving sham stimulation where the coil was placed similarly but without active magnetic pulses, accompanied by prerecorded sounds to mimic treatment. Both groups completed the two-week intervention with treatments delivered under blinded conditions to prevent bias. Throughout the study, participants underwent assessments including the Visceral Sensitivity Index and the IBS symptom severity score to measure changes in visceral pain and symptom severity. Brain imaging and other evaluations were performed as part of the nested cohort. Safety and treatment effects were monitored over the two-week period, with all participants included in the final analysis to determine the impact of rTMS on IBS-D symptoms.

Lf-rTMS Attenuates Visceral Pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea