Par
Philippe Cohen
Published on
4 oct. 2024 à 16h16
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rTMS. Behind this acronym lies hope for those who face certain chronic pain. This state-of-the-art equipment has just joined the evaluation and pain treatment (CETD) de Rambouillet hospital (Yvelines).
An innovation for the establishment where, for two years, we have been fighting against chronic pain by all means, with a team bringing together specialist doctors as well as anesthesiologists, an acupuncturist or a shiatsu specialist.
The arrival of rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) brings a cutting-edge technique and unique in Yvelines. The only one in the hospital group including Versailles.
Waves on pain software
“This is an additional response in pain management. It is non-invasive,” assures Doctor Véronique Francini, head of the pain center.
“It consists of a series of short magnetic pulses in specific areas of the cortex, using a coil emitting a magnetic field. »
In front of the equipment, a nurse, using a copper coil, targets the area of the brain that will receive a magnetic pulse. She keeps one eye glued to the screen which displays an MRI of the patient’s brain. He is sitting comfortably in an armchair. Electrodes were attached to his hand to stimulate muscle contraction and activation of the brain’s motor cortex.
“The magnetic waves will act on the pain software by working on specific areas,” summarizes Doctor Véronique Francini.
“I saved their lives!” »
The first fifty patients are currently benefiting from this device. After 6 to 10 sessions, the first results surprise the algologist. “A person who was in pain after cervical spine surgery no longer has pain! The sessions also have an effect on people suffering from multiple sclerosis… Some tell me that I saved their lives! » rejoices Doctor Véronique Francini.
The patient can only use this technology when all the other possibilities medications have been exhausted.
“Only when the pain is resistant to all other treatments,” specify the doctors.
There is a very strict protocol before specialists and community doctors can refer their patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain to the pain center; those which can occur without obvious causes. This is the case after l’amputation of a limb, post-surgical pain, trauma after an accident, after-effects after anti-cancer treatment, certain viral infections such as shingles or neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Bringing hope back
“Pain that strongly impacts the quality of life patients, for whom this technique will bring hope and a better quality of life. It is also our public service mission,” underlines the interim director of the hospital, Pascal Dufour.
Tips for depression and endometriosis
The Regional Health Agency (ARS) has invested in this innovation which has a cost of around €200,000 (€122,931 in investment and €8,844 in maintenance), because the rTMS will be shared within the Yvelines hospital group. . In addition to neuropathic pain, rTMS can attempt to treat resistant depression and people suffering endometriosis.
Initial feedback shows that rTMS can provide a solution to 30% of referred patients. 30 to 40% require additional sessions. 30%, unfortunately, do not see any change in the alleviation of their chronic pain.
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