Transcranial direct current stimulation for chronic headaches, a randomized, controlled trial
Chronic headaches are a frequent cause of pain and disability. The purpose of this randomized trial was to examine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex, reduces pain and increases daily function in individuals suffering from primary chronic heada...
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Published in | Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 5; p. 1353987 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Switzerland
Frontiers Media
2024
Frontiers Media S.A |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Chronic headaches are a frequent cause of pain and disability. The purpose of this randomized trial was to examine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex, reduces pain and increases daily function in individuals suffering from primary chronic headache.
A prospective, randomized, controlled trial, where participants and assessors were blinded, investigated the effect of active tDCS vs. sham tDCS in chronic headache sufferers. Forty subjects between 18 and 70 years of age, with a diagnosis of primary chronic headache were randomized to either active tDCS or sham tDCS treatment groups. All patients received eight treatments over four consecutive weeks. Anodal stimulation (2 mA) directed at the primary motor cortex (M1), was applied for 30 min in the active tDCS group. Participants in the sham tDCS group received 30 s of M1 stimulation at the start and end of the 30-minute procedure; for the remaining 29 min, they did not receive any stimulation. Outcome measures based on data collected at baseline, after eight treatments and three months later included changes in daily function, pain levels, and medication.
Significant improvements in both daily function and pain levels were observed in participants treated with active tDCS, compared to sham tDCS. Effects lasted up to 12 weeks post-treatment. Medication use remained unchanged in both groups throughout the trial with no serious adverse effects reported.
These results suggest that tDCS has the potential to improve daily function and reduce pain in patients suffering from chronic headaches. Larger randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.
The study was approved by the local ethics committee (2018/2514) and by the Norwegian Centre for Research Data (54483). |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Frontiers in Pain Research Edited by: David M. Niddam, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung Unviersity, Taiwan Abbreviations tDCS, transcranial direct current stimulation; tMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation; M1, primary motor cortex; S1, sensory cortex; DLPFC, dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex; CTCAE, common terminology criteria for adverse events; TENS, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; CNS, central nervous system; RCT, randomized controlled trial; NSD, norwegian centre for research data; VAS, visual analog scale; MIDAS, migraine disability assessment; EEG, electroencephalogram; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging; WHO, world health organization; GP, general practitioner; IASP, international association of pain; NICE, national institute of health and care excellence; GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid (gamma-aminobutyric acid); NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate; SD, standard deviation. Mohammad Dawood Rahimi, Herat University, Afghanistan Reviewed by: Alessandra Telesca, IRCCS Carlo Besta Neurological Institute Foundation, Italy |
ISSN: | 2673-561X 2673-561X |
DOI: | 10.3389/fpain.2024.1353987 |