A parallel randomized controlled trial examining the effects of rhythmic sensory stimulation on fibromyalgia symptoms

Abstract

This double-blind, two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of gamma-frequency rhythmic sensory stimulation on fibromyalgia. We were interested in whether rhythmic sensory stimulation would promote significant changes in fibromyalgia and associated symptoms, and whether treatment effects would differ between two distinct treatment parameters. Fifty patients with a formal diagnosis of fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to two test groups. One group received vibrotactile stimulation from a continuous sine wave single-frequency stimulation (40 Hz) for 30 minutes, five days per week, over five weeks, concomitant with usual care. The second group completed the same treatment protocol but received a different stimulation, consisting of random and intermittent complex wave gamma-range vibrotactile stimulation. Fibromyalgia symptoms, pain severity and interference, depression symptoms, quality of life and sleep quality were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Results indicated that there were statistically significant changes from baseline to post-treatment in measures of fibromyalgia symptom severity, pain interference, depression, and sleep quality. However, treatment outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. These findings provide preliminary evidence that gamma-frequency rhythmic vibroacoustic stimulation may decrease fibromyalgia symptoms and ease associated comorbidities, opening new avenues for further investigation of the effects of rhythmic sensory stimulation on chronic pain conditions.

Exploring vibroacoustic therapy in adults experiencing pain: a scoping review

“…Eleven studies were focused on chronic pain,2 4 16 17 26–32 two on acute pain,15 33 one study on experimentally induced pain34 (from this point onwards referred to only as experimental pain), one study included patients with acute and chronic pain35 and one study did not specify the type of pain (probably both acute and chronic pain patients were included) 5. Chronic pain included different types of presumed musculoskeletal pain (mostly fibromyalgia), psychosomatic and neuropathic conditions,2 4 16 26–32 35 and, least prevalent, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type 17. The acute pain15 33 studies included postoperative pain after gynaecological surgeries, after a total knee replacement and after an ankle sprain 35.…”

Fibromyalgia: Recent Advances in Diagnosis, Classification, Pharmacotherapy and Alternative Remedies

“…Although no adverse effects in patients receiving the treatment, no statistically and clinically relevant improvement were observed [117]. On the other hand, gamma-frequency rhythmic vibroacoustic stimulation was found to decrease FM symptoms (depression, sleep quality and pain interference) and ease associated comorbidities (depression and sleep disturbances), opening new avenues for further investigation of the effects of rhythmic sensory stimulation on chronic pain conditions [118].…”

An Overview of Acoustic-Based Interventions to Improve Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease

“…The first suggests low-frequency sound stimulates pain inhibitory mechanisms (i.e., Pacinian corpuscle), which mitigates pain impulse to the brain. In other words, VAT may be an effective pain reliever because inhibitory interneurons are activated in the process (Janzen et al, 2019). The second hypothesis is Jindrak postulate.…”

“…However, these hypotheses do not explain how VAT is beneficial for relieving PD symptoms. A recent paper by Janzen et al (2019) suggests vibroacoustic stimuli mimic brain stimulation (e.g., during transcranial electrical stimulation, wherein brain oscillations are induced), which in turn regulate thalamocortical dysrhythmias and enhance functional connectivity of the pain network in fibromyalgia patients. Based on this concept of neural entrainment, we may speculate that the delivery of rhythmic entrainment and sound vibration achieved with VAT can regulate abnormal neural oscillatory activity in PD (Teo et al, 2017).…”