Noninvasive brain stimulation beyond the motor cortex: a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring effects on quantitative sensory testing in clinical pain.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been investigated increasingly as a means of treating pain. The effectiveness of NIBS in the treatment of pain has traditionally focused on protocols targeting the primary motor cortex (M1). However, over time, the effectiveness of M1 NIBS has been attributed to effects on interconnected cortical and subcortical sites rather than on M1 itself. Although previous reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of non-M1 NIBS in improving subjective reports of pain intensity, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these effects remain incompletely understood. As chronic pain is associated with pain hypersensitivity and impaired endogenous descending pain modulation, it is plausible that non-M1 NIBS promotes analgesic effects by inf

SUBMITTER: Flood A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11789781 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature