Anodal tDCS over the motor cortex improves pain but not physical function in chronic chikungunya arthritis: Randomized controlled trial.

Journal: Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine

Volume: 67

Issue: 4

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal -, Brazil. Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal -, Brazil. Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Alberto Santos Dumont Avenue, ., Macaíba -, Brazil. Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo, São Paulo, Alameda da Universidade, Bairro Anchieta -, Brazil. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of The City University of New York, Convent Avenue, New York, NY , USA. Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal -, Brazil; Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal -, Brazil. Electronic address: rodrigo.pegado@ufrn.br.

Abstract summary 

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a globally prevalent pathogen, with outbreaks occurring in tropical regions. Chronic pain is the main symptom reported and is associated with decreased mobility and disability. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is emerging as a new therapeutic tool for chronic arthralgia.To evaluate the effectiveness of 10 consecutive sessions of anodal tDCS on pain (primary outcome) in participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia. Secondary outcomes included functional status, quality of life, and mood.In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia were randomly assigned to receive either active (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) tDCS. The active group received 10 consecutive sessions of tDCS over M1 using the C3/Fp2 montage (2 mA for 20 min). Visual analog scale of pain (VAS), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), short-form 36 health survey (SF-36), pain catastrophizing scale, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAS), timed up and go (TUG) test, lumbar dynamometry, 30-s arm curl and 2-min step test were assessed at baseline, day 10 and at 2 follow-up visits.There was a significant interaction between group and time on pain (p = 0.03; effect size 95 % CI 0.9 (-1.67 to -0.16), with a significant time interaction (p = 0.0001). There was no interaction between time and group for the 2-minute step test (p = 0.18), but the groups differed significantly at day 10 (p = 0.01), first follow-up (p = 0.01) and second follow-up (p = 0.03). HAQ and SF-36 improved but not significantly. There was no significant improvement in mental health, and physical tests.tDCS appears to be a promising intervention for reducing pain in participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia, although further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential long-term benefits.Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-245rh7.

Authors & Co-authors:  Cavalcante Holanda Passos Pereira de Oliveira Morya Okano Bikson Pegado

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  8
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.rehab.2024.101826
SSN : 1877-0665
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Arbovirus;Chronic pain;Infection to arbovirus;Neuromodulation
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
Netherlands