Treatment of sleep disorders with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

The prevalence of sleep disorders in the population is remarkably high, and poor sleep quality can lead to various health problems. Current standard treatments for sleep disorders involve pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches. A new potentially effective method that could be introduced is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Repetitive TMS is a modern non-invasive biological treatment method that has been used in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders for many years. The principle of rTMS involves the application of repeated pulses of magnetic field, which subsequently induce electrical activity in the stimulated area of the brain. The advantage of this therapy is its excellent tolerance and minimal side effects. Its role in the treatment of sleep disorders has not yet been suffi ciently explored. This paper reviews the potential use of rTMS in the management of different sleep disorders, including a summary of recent studies, the stimulation protocols employed, their eff ectiveness, and possible underlying bio logical mechanisms. Strongest evidence for the effectiveness of rTMS has been found for the treatment of primary insomnia, but it has also been effective in addressing restless legs syndrome, sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease, and insomnia comorbid with psychiatric disorders. There have even been isolated reports of successful rTMS treatments for sleep-related bruxism, obstructive sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.