The effects of neuromodulation through brainwave entrainment on pain in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled clinical trial with Follow-Up
Source: Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)
Authors: Gabriela de Souza, Luiza Daux Buffon, Rafaela Hardt da Silva, Taynah de Oliveira Galassi, Aline Raulino Dutra, Nayara Medeiros, Brenda Canatto de Paiva, Victor Juchem de Brito, Larice Nienkotter, Heloiza Dos Santos Baldança, Steffani Horstmann Goedert, Gislaine Tezza Rezin, Mariella Reinol da Silva, Mariana Pacheco de Oliveira, Fabricia Petronilho, Khiany Mathias, Anita Dal Bo Tiscoski, Leidiane Mazzardo Martins, Eliane Silva de Azevedo Traebert, Anna Paula Piovezan, Jefferson L Traebert, Wolnei Calmo, Robert Schleip, Franciane Bobinski, Francisco J Cidral-Filho, Daniel F Martins, Publication Date: Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400
Pain Med. 2026 May 11:pnag064. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnag064. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic, widespread pain. Its pathogenesis is not well-defined, but cumulative evidence indicates fibromyalgia is associated with alterations in brain surface wave frequencies.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of brainwave entrainment (BWE) vs. music therapy for managing fibromyalgia in women.
METHODS: Eighty-four female patients with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to two groups, namely music therapy (n = 42) or BWE administered using a BrainTap headset (n = 42). The music therapy and BWE groups were treated for 20 minutes daily, five times a week, over eight weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire were applied at baseline, during the treatment, and post-intervention with a six-month follow-up. Biochemical analyses and the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A and HAM-D) were performed at baseline and at the conclusion of the treatment.
RESULTS: BWE group reduced pain (p = 0.0001) as measured by the VAS and MPQ in the PRI total score and anxiety (p = 0.006). Furthermore, BWE improved parameters related to quality of life (BWE p = 0.002 vs MT p = 0.035), depression (BWE p = 0.0001 vs MT p = 0.006), and oxidative stress, and reduced BDNF (BWE p = 0.049 vs MT p = 0.030) levels in patients with fibromyalgia, an effect also observed with music therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: BWE delivered through the BrainTap headset has the potential to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. This effect appears to be related to oxidative stress and BDNF levels reduction.
PMID:42116620 | DOI:10.1093/pm/pnag064
Pubmed ID: pubmed:42116620
Identifiers: pmid:42116620, doi:10.1093/pm/pnag064,