Fibromyalgia Study

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Are you interested in participating in a fibromyalgia study?

We are recruiting participants aged 18-75 years to take part in a study of fibromyalgia. We’ll be examining its potential biomarkers and neural stimulation treatments!

You will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires, donate a saliva sample, and receive Controllable-Pulse-Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (cTMS) pulses to the motor areas of the brain.

Your time participating will involve an orientation session of approximately 2 hours, 1 session for Experiment A of approximately 2 hours, and 10 sessions in Experiment B of approximately 45 minutes over the course of two weeks. In appreciation of your time, you will receive reimbursement of up to $80 for Experiment A and $12 or a parking pass per lab visit for Experiment B.

For more information about this study, please contact: Chloe Drapeau (drapeac@mcmaster.ca)

This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance by the

Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HIREB) under project #16482.

More information can be obtained by emailing macpain@mcmaster.ca, or by calling 289-260-6090

Our Goals:

1. Examine potential biomarkers that can be used to effectively diagnose fibromyalgia.

2. Examine the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation in reducing pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia.

Experiment Breakdown, Compensation, and Timeline:

Orientation

1 session in 1 day
~2.5 hours total

– TMS Demo
– Consent
– Questionnaires
– Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Experiment A

1 session in 1 day
~2 hours total

$80 compensation

– Saliva sample for genotyping
– Questionnaires
– Sensorimotor tasks
– Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Experiment B

10 sessions in 2 weeks
~45 minutes per session

$12/visit or parking pass

– Questionnaires
– Sensorimotor tasks
– Controllable-Pulse-Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (cTMS)

NOTE: Participants can choose to only participate in Experiment A alone, or, can choose to partake in both Experiment A and B. Participants must take part in Experiment A to qualify for Experiment B.

What is cTMS?

Controllable Pulse Parameter Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (cTMS) is a non-invasive technique used to stimulate certain brain cells from the outside. The cTMS works by generating a magnetic field through it’s coils, which induces an electric current stimulating certain brain cells.

For more information, click here!

How is this study using cTMS?

We believe that there are many potential causes of Fibromyalgia thought to be related to irregularities of neural impulses in the brain. This study aims to use cTMS to change the activity of neurons in the brain, resulting in a reduction of pain!