Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain in Landmine Victims: ANTARES

Background In 2007 Colombia was one of the five countries in the world with the highest number of anti-personnel landmine victims [1]. These are small devices designed to injure or kill people and animals by exploding when a minimum pressure is exerted on them (approximately 6 Force-Kg) [2]. Between 1999 and 2008 there were 6696 reported incidents with these artifacts in Colombia, partly due to an intensified civil war conflict in this period of time, however, it is estimated that the number of affected subjects might be higher due to underreporting [1]. This problem has had an enormous impact on Public Health in Colombia, aggravated by the fact that victims, often children or young adults, frequently suffer significant degrees of physical and psychological disabilities, leading to an increase in the number of healthy life years (DALYs) lost in our population, together with important secondary economic impacts [1-5]. Anderson et al [3] estimated that the quality of life is affected in 25 to 87% of families with a relative victim of a landmine.

Among the multiple physical and psychological disabilities and sequels derived from landmines [6-8], one of the most important consequences is the chronic neuropathic pain secondary to amputation. Ketz conducted a retrospective study among 30 soldiers wounded in combat, finding a prevalence of 77% of Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) after traumatic amputation [9]. The factors associated with development of neuropathic pain in these patients include central and peripheral phenomena [10-12]. The direct damage to the involved tissue produces inflammation, and in some cases infection which induces the release of several molecules, such as hydrogen, potassium and arachidonic acid, which in turn, activate and sensitize pain receptors, leading to exaggerated responses to any minimal painful stimuli [11]. Another proposed mechanism for the development of PLP is the fact that damaged peripheral nerve tissues grows into so-called "neuromas" [13, 14]. These have shown to express a greater density of sodium channels in their cell membranes, increasing the activity of peripheral nociceptors [15]. This increased activity leads to changes in the synaptic structure of neurons located in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, increasing their excitability as well as reducing the frequency and intensity of their inhibitory processes [11, 16]. Besides spinal and peripheral changes, encephalic alterations have also been found [17-24]. Melzack introduced the neuromatrix theory, which suggested that pain is a multidimensional experience, which involves a large neural network that enables the integration and simultaneous processing of information from multiple peripheral receptors with the processed information permanently in these neural circuits, emphasizing the importance of central structures in all aspects of pain [25]. In addition, Merzenich et al [26] conducted a study in adult monkeys, finding that after amputation of a limb, the primary somatosensory cortex seems to rearrange itself in the cortical areas representing the amputated limb.

The high prevalence of PLP after amputation has led to major efforts in order to lessen the pain in affected patients. However, results using conventional medical treatment, including opiates, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists and surgery, are poor, with an general efficacy rate of about 30%, not statistically better than placebo [20, 27-33]. Recently, it has been proposed that repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) can be an effective alternative in the treatment of neuropathic pain [34].

The rTMS is a non-invasive stimulation technique of the human brain that generates a small magnetic field of high intensity through a brief electrical current generated by a magnetic coil placed over the head of the individual [35, 36]. The electric currents induced in the cerebral cortex run in a parallel plane to the plane of the stimulation, in such a way that this stimulation affects mainly those brain elements of the cerebral cortex activating the pyramidal cells transinaptically (37). The use of high frequency rTMS (> 1Hz) raises the blood flow in the stimulated area, inducing an increased brain activity. On the other hand, low-frequency stimulation (<1 Hz) reduces brain activity [38, 39]. In addition to vascular changes, the rTMS may induce modifications in several hormonal axes and even in the production of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine serotonin, arginine, NMDA, taurine and aspartate [40-43]. Additionally it was found that rTMS may regulate the expression of some genes including c-fos and c-jun, which are vital structural components of the activator protein 1, a special transcription factor that helps to regulate cellular processes including differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. The rTMS also helps to modulate some peptide biosynthetic pathways, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), important molecules for neuronal plasticity processes [42-44]. Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Li et al [45], observed that stimulation with 1Hz rTMS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex induced an immediate increase in the local blood flow, followed by perfusion of the bilateral middle prefrontal cortex, right orbital frontal cortex, left hippocampus, middorsal nucleus of the thalamus, bilateral putamen, pulvinar and insula. These previous observations suggest that in addition to producing local changes in the stimulated cerebral cortex, rTMS might also influence the activity of other cortical and sub-cortical regions through different brain circuits and connections [46, 47].

Reported side effects of rTMS are minor events, mainly related with cephalagia, changes in the stimulation threshold of hearing, tinnitus, local erythema, syncopal episodes and in some cases mild and transient cognitive disorders related to the area stimulated [48-51]. The most important complication described has been possible induction of seizures (<0.1%); however these seizures have not been associated with sequels or with development of epilepsy [52-54]. There are some medical and non-medical contraindications to its use, such as, the presence of metal endo-cranial, cardiac pacemakers or hearing, as well as cardiac arrhythmias, intracranial hypertension, use of medications that lower the seizures threshold and personal or family history of epilepsy [55].

The rTMS was first used on small groups of patients suffering of chronic neuropathic pain secondary to trigeminal neuralgia or brachial plexus injury [56-58]. Lefaucheur et al [56] conducted a study in 18 patients with an average age of 54 years, presenting chronic neuropathic pain of one hand, resistant to drug treatment. The patients were randomized for three twenty minute sessions of rTMS, one with a low frequency (0.5 Hz) magnetic stimulation, other with high frequency (10 Hz) and the other with sham coil to evaluate the placebo effect. The level of pain before and after each session was evaluated by using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). In this study it was determined that patients undergoing a 10-Hz rTMS perceived a more significant reduction of the pain compared with subjects who received a stimulation with 0.5 Hz rTMS or with those who only received placebo treatment. Subsequently, Lefaucheur et al [57] replicated these results in a group of 60 patients with neuropathic pain secondary to thalamic infarction, brachial plexus injury or trigeminal nerve injury, who underwent two sessions of high frequency rTMS separated by three weeks, concluding that 65% of the patients reported some improvement of their symptoms. The same author conducted a study that included 36 patients with neuropathic pain secondary to either brachial plexus or trigeminal nerve injuries. All of them received high frequency rTMS. The first one during two sessions and the latter received three sessions. As in the previous studies the level of pain was evaluated, before each session and one week after, using the VAS. The best response to pain was obtained between the second and fourth day after the initial treatment and this improvement was maintained for a period of seven days [59].

Objectives

General Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of rTMS for the treatment of phantom limb pain in victims of anti-personnel landmines.

Specific Objectives

1. To determine the intensity and duration of the analgesic effects of rTMS in patients victims of landmines with PLP.
2. To identify the characteristics of victims of landmines with PLP associated with a greater response to rTMS.
3. To identify adverse events associated with the application of rTMS in victims of anti-personnel landmines with PLP.

Study Design Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial.

Sample size The sample size was calculated according to the arc cosine formula considering a power of 80% and a type I error of 0.05, assigning a successful rate of 20% in the control group and 60% in the active group. After adjusting for a loss rate of 5%, the total number of patients to be recruited was 54 (27 patients per group).

Population The population will be composed of patients victims of anti-personnel landmines, who have had one of their lower limbs amputated and display classical symptoms of PLP. The patients will be recruited from the physical rehabilitation service at the Hospital Universitario de Santander (HUS), Bucaramanga, Colombia and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Those who consent to participate, fulfill screening criteria and don't present any exclusion criteria will be included in the study.

Inclusion criteria

1. Men and women 18 years or older.
2. Amputation at any level of one lower limb by anti-personnel landmines.
3. Symptoms compatible with PLP, defined as painful sensation, sensation of shooting, stabbing, boring, squeezing, throbbing and burning or paresthesia or any other pain sensation in a limb that doesn't exist anymore.

Exclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome.
2. Any pathology that based on the judgment of the researcher that could alter the course of PLP (neoplasias, immunological disorders, etc.)
3. Previous diagnosis of cancer.
4. Renal insufficiency requiring dialysis treatment.
5. Pregnancy
6. History of epilepsy.
7. Cardiac arrhythmias.
8. Metallic prostheses in the skull.
9. History of severe head trauma.
10. Use of tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine).
11. Use of antipsychotic medication (chlorpromazine, levomepromazine, haloperidol, clozapine, olanzapine, etc.).
12. Mentally or neurologically disabled patients that are considered not fit to approve their participation in the study.

Study development

Logistic phase

This phase will include the following activities:

1. Acquisition of the materials required for the development of the project.
2. Elaboration of flyers, promotional and educative material, manual of procedures and Case Report Format (CRF).
3. Training of personnel that will participate in the study 5. Randomization of treatment Randomization of the treatment will be performed by an epidemiologist of the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia (FCV). It will be done in blocks, in order to avoid long sequences of patients assigned to the same group and to reduce some of the bias inherent to the simple randomization process.

Recruitment Phase Patients will attend the screening visit at the FCV or at offices of the physicians involved in the study.

Screening Visit During this visit a complete medical check-up, based on universally accepted techniques, will evaluate neuropathic compromise, medications and other therapies used for the treatment of PLP. The inclusion/exclusion criteria will be applied by a neurologist and the selected candidates will be informed about the study. It will be asked to patients to avoid consumption of new analgesic medications during the study development. If one patient requires the introduction of a new analgesic treatment for increased pain or concept of the physician, this will be recorded and taken into consideration in the data analysis.

Initial and Follow-up Visits The selected patients will be scheduled for the initial visit. In this visit, information about the patient's medical history, educational level, socioeconomic status and general condition will be collected by a physician. In addition, a physical therapist will perform a baseline assessment of neuropathic pain using a VAS. Each patient will be randomized to receive rTMS, using a biphasic pulse stimulator (Magstim Company Ltd, Whitland, UK), in series of 20 trains of 6 s in duration (54-s intertrain interval) at a stimulation rate of 10 Hz (1200 pulses) at an intensity of 90% rest motor threshold using an "active" coil or a "sham" coil. Sessions will be administered five days a week during two consecutive weeks. The stimulation will be directed to the primary motor cortex contralateral to the amputated limb.

Clinical evaluators and those responsible for applying the pain evaluation scales will be blind to the assigned group. The rTMS will be performed by a non-blinded member of the research group. The patients included in the study should not have prior knowledge of the technical details of rTMS.

Response will be evaluated by measuring the pain intensity at baseline and after each session using a VAS. These measurements will be repeated 2 weeks after the ending of the treatment scheme, in order to determine the duration of the analgesic effect of rTMS.

Data base depuration phase Each patient will be identified using an internal code. The study coordinator will monitor the proper collection of data, taking into account that the information contained on the forms is complete and accurate. Also, he/she will keep a record of the visits performed during the study and verify that the data collection is performed in a timely manner.

After completing all the data entry to the CRF the results will be audited and the detected errors evaluated and corrected. The information will be entered in two different databases by two different people and the records compared to detect any discrepancy. The mistakes will be corrected according to the CRF, and the corrections registered.

Statistical analysis For the statistical analysis, Stata 11.0 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) will be used. The descriptive analysis will be composed of medians and proportions according to the nature of the variables, with their respective 95% confidence intervals. As a dispersion measurement the Standard Deviation will be calculated. The distribution of the variables will be studied using the Shapiro-Wilk test and the homoscedasticity of the variances with the Levene test. To detect any difference between the groups, a T-test or a Mann Whitney test will be performed according to the distribution of the variables. The categorical variables will be compared using the Chi Squared test or the exact Fisher's test. If required, a multiple logistic regression or a covariance analysis will be performed.

Endpoints

At the end of the treatment the following endpoints will be evaluated:

1. Percentage reduction in the intensity of neuropathic pain.
2. Presence of adverse events related to the administration of rTMS.

Final Report The results of the study will be evaluated and discussed and a final report presented to the Colombian Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (COLCIENCIAS), entity that is sponsoring the project. The results will be submitted for publication and presented in scientific meetings.

Ethical aspects This study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the Colombian legislation, following the Ministry Of Health resolution No. 8430/93. Prior to the admission of the patients in the study, the objectives and the methodology will be explained and a written informed consent obtained. The present study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the FCV (Act # 197/June 19/2009). The patients' right to confidentiality will be kept in all the phases of the study.

Evaluation and management of adverse events

During the visits the patients will be asked about the presence of any adverse events. These will be classified by the physician as serious or non-serious adverse events. A serious adverse event should meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Death
2. Life-threatening
3. Hospitalization or prolongation of a current hospital stay
4. Persistent or significant disability

The presence of a serious adverse event that represents any hazard for the patient and/or requires immediate medical or surgical intervention will force the discontinuation of the treatment and initiation of pertinent medical management. The research staff will notify the Adverse Event Committee (AEC) of the FCV of any serious adverse event within 24 hours of its documentation.

A non-serious adverse event will be classified as following:

1. Mild: The patient is aware of his/her symptoms, but those are tolerable. Medical intervention or specific treatment is not required.
2. Moderate: The patient presents troubles that interfere with his/her daily activity. Medical intervention or specific treatment is required.
3. Severe: The patient is unable to work or attend his/her daily activities. Medical intervention or specific treatment is required.

The possible relationship between the adverse events and the tested medication will be classified by the research staff on the basis of his/her clinical judgment and the following definitions:

1. Definitely related: The event can be fully explained by the administration of the tested medication.
2. Probably related: The event is most likely to be explained by the administration of the tested medication, rather than other medications or the patient's condition.
3. Possibly related: The event may be explained by the administration of the tested medication or other medications, as well as the patient's condition.
4. Not related: The event is most likely to be explained by either the patient's condition or the use of other medications, rather than the one tested.

All events will be reported to the AEC. Although the project has been designed to minimize the inherent risks, any adverse event related to the study procedures will be carefully evaluated by the AEC and the costs generated by its treatment covered by the study's administration.

Acknowledgements This study is supported by a grant from the Colombian Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (COLCIENCIAS) (Project N. 656649326169).

Competing interests The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.