A Pilot Study of TMS Effects on Pain and Depression in Patients With Fibromyalgia

In this pilot study, the PI proposes to include 20 African American participants with Fibromyalgia to explore the effect of r TMS on pain and depressive symptoms. The focus on African Americans is due to the mandate from the funding source (internal), as well as possible higher prevalence of FM in AA women. If recruitment is slow, the PI proposes to open up the study to other groups. Twenty subjects will be randomized to either sham or active TMS condition. Inclusion/exclusion criteria are well thought out and seem appropriate. mTreatments will be administered at IOP 5 times/wk with each session lasting 20 minutes. Pain intensity and unpleasantness will be measured pre and post each TMS session using three different pain evaluation paradigms. GCRC resource is mainly requested for two blood draws pre and post first TMS session. The blood samples will be used to measure inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, AND IL-8. The main aim is to ascertain feasibility of the study and secondary aim is to gather information on variability in response for power analysis for future larger study. The introduction and rationale (including pain evaluation, and methods relating to TMS) are clearly presented. Use of GCRC resources seem appropriate.