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Fibromyalgia is a disorder distinguished by pervasive musculoskeletal pain that has pervasive effects on affected individuals magnifying the importance of finding a safe and viable treatment option. The goal of this study is to investigate if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatment can predict the outcome of occipital nerve field stimulation (ONFS) via a subcutaneous electrode. Nine patients with fibromyalgia were selected fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology‐90 criteria. The patients were implanted with a subcutaneous trial‐lead in the C2 dermatome innervated by the occipital nerve. After the treatment phase of ONFSusing a C2 implant, each patient participated in three sessions of tDCS. Stimulation outcomes for pain suppression were examined between the two methods to determine possible correlations. Positive correlation of stimulation effect was noted between the numeric rating scale changes for pain obtained by tDCStreatments and short‐term measures of ONFS, but no correlation was noted between tDCSand long‐term ONFSoutcomes. A correlation also was noted between short‐term ONS C2 implant pain suppression and long‐term ONS C2 implant treatment success. This pilot study suggests that tDCSis a predictive measure for success of OFNSin short‐term but cannot be used as a predictive measure for success of long‐term OFNS. Our data confirm previous findings that ONFSvia an implanted electrode can improve fibromyalgia pain in a placebo‐controlled way and exert a long‐term pain suppression effect for ONFSvia an implanted electrode.

Tinnitus, a phantom sensation experienced by people around the world, currently is endured without a known cure. Some find the condition tolerable, while others are tortured on a daily basis from the incessant phantom noises. For those who seek treatment, oftentimes, they have a comorbid condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, insomnia), which is treated pharmaceutically. These products aim to reduce the comorbities associated with tinnitus thereby minimizing the overall burden present. Because of the phantom nature of tinnitus, it is often compared to neurologic pain. Since pain can be managed with pharmaceutical options, it is reasonable to assume that similar agents might work to alleviate tinnitus. The effects of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and glutamate antagonists are reviewed in this paper. Table 1 summarizes the pharmaceutical products discussed. Due to the variety of comorbid factors and potential causes of tinnitus, there may not be one pharmaceutical treatment that will combat every type of tinnitus. Nevertheless, a product that finally addresses the true cause of tinnitus, and not just its comorbidities, will benefit millions of people worldwide.