Neuropathy (nerve damage) is a common complication of diabetes, affecting over 90% of patients with the long-lasting disease. Pain is one of the main symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

Research shows that rTMS applied over the motor cortex can relieve neuropathic pain, at least partially, if not entirely.

It is also seen that high-frequency (≥5 Hz) rTMS of the area of the brain that represents the legs opposite to the site of pain can help alleviate chronic nerve pain. A study published in The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery showed considerable improvement in the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy after 5 days of high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS sessions.

Another chronic painful nerve disorder shown to clinically benefit from TMS is trigeminal neuralgia (TN). It is a condition in which sharp, lancinating pain occurs along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensations from your face.

In a study conducted on 12 patients with chronic intractable TN who did not respond to surgery, patients report good-to-excellent pain relief with about 58% response rate following rTMS.

One of the most promising, off-label uses of rTMS is treating the chronic and debilitating pain that follows a stroke in 1 in every 10 stroke patients. This condition is named as central post-stroke pain (CPSP).

A majority of cases of CPSP are challenging and refractory to medical therapy. Thus, it’s important to delve into other more effective, yet safe therapies for CPSP like rTMS.

An open-label study done on 18 patients with CPSP showed an effective (61%) reduction in pain scores after weekly sessions of rTMS. Moreover, patients who continued rTMS for one year reported long-term relief of their symptoms, underscoring the benefits of this therapy in controlling pain. Not only that, pain levels worsened to the levels before rTMS in almost all patients after the end of the treatment sessions.

Chronic central pain can also occur following TBI.

A 2018 clinical trial studied the effects of high-frequency rTMS on central pain after TBI. rTMS induced considerable improvement in the pain scores and quality of life of these patients following ten sessions of 10-Hz rTMS over the motor area.

FM is another painful disorder for which TMS appears to show promise as an alternative therapy.

People with fibromyalgia not only endure widespread musculoskeletal pains, they also often deal with depression. In fibromyalgia, the pain worsens depression and vice versa.

The effect of TMS on the pain levels of fibromyalgia is an interesting one. In six controlled trials, rTMS substantially dampen the pain response in patients with FM. Three of these trials also showed an improved quality of life in FM patients for up to 2–25 weeks after the sessions.

Another recent clinical study showed a beneficial effect of low-intensity 5-day rTMS on chronic pain levels in people with fibromyalgia. These positive effects of rTMS lasted up to 6 months in the follow-up phase.

PLP is a neuropathic condition manifested by a stabbing, throbbing, or burning pain in the patients’ remaining perception of an amputated limb. The condition is taxing due to its negative impact on the quality of life and failure to respond to traditional treatments.

Moreover, maladaptive plasticity has been associated with PLP. Because rTMS can alter the plasticity of the affected brain areas, its use can improve the traumatic symptoms of PLP.

According to a study published in The Journal of Pain, 14 days of rTMS sessions caused a significant drop in pain scores in 70% of amputees with PLP.

Low back pain (LBP) is a fairly common problem. In most cases, it tends to subside with acute pain-relieving strategies. However, if it becomes chronic, LBP can take a heavy toll on the quality of life of the affected person. It is considered chronic when it lasts for more than 3 months.

According to literature review, changes in postural and trunk muscles may lead to LBP. The primary motor area of the brain is thought to play a role in the control of these muscles. Hence, stimulating this area via TMS can benefit patients with LBP.

In a clinical trial on patients with LBP, there was an 80% reduction in pain from baseline in those who received high-intensity rTMS stimulation over the primary motor area. Two other case studies also showed that rTMS sessions minimized pain in patients with chronic LBP and depression.