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Relieving Chronic Pain in Older Adults With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
The primary objective of this study is to determine, in a healthcare setting, the effectiveness of actual tDCS in reducing pain compared with placebo tDCS. This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial with parallel groups (real tDCS vs. placebo) blinded to participants, assessors and tDCS providers. The real tDCS group will receive a daily 20-minute session of tDCS (current intensity = 2 mA), for 5 consecutive days, while the placebo tDCS group will receive an equivalent treatment, but the current will be stopped after the first 30 seconds. The study will take place in 5 rehabilitation clinics in 3 Quebec regions. One hundred and fifty (150) seniors aged 65 years or older with chronic (\> 6 months), moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain will be recruited (50 participants/region). Follow-ups will take place at 1 week and 3 months post-treatment. The primary dependent variable is pain intensity (numerical scale from 0 to 10). Secondary variables will be measured using standardized and validated questionnaires: 1) pain-related interferences (physical function, mood, quality of life) and 2) perception of post-TDCS changes. Neurophysiological measures (pain control pathways).
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
65 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
150
Start Date
2023-10-19
Completion Date
2025-06-01
Last Updated
2025-03-04
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
actual transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that would influence the brain's pain control mechanisms. The anode is attached to the skull above the M1 opposite the painful side (in case of unilateral pain) or opposite the dominant hand (in case of bilateral pain). The cathode (at the supraorbital level opposite the stimulated M1) will be positioned using the 10-20 EEG system and the tDCS intensity will be 2 mA.
placebo transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
The anode is attached to the skull above the M1 opposite the painful side (in case of unilateral pain) or opposite the dominant hand (in case of bilateral pain). The cathode (at the supraorbital level opposite the stimulated M1) will be positioned using the 10-20 EEG system and the tDCS intensity will be 2 mA for 30 secondes, and then 0 mA for the rest of the 20-minute session.
Locations (3)
Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
CHU de Québec-Université Laval
Québec, Quebec, Canada
Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement (CdRV)
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada