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Lozano-Meca J, Montilla-Herrador J, Gacto-Sánchez M. The effects of combined transcranial direct Current stimulation with physiotherapy for physical function in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiother Theory Pract 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38818760 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2024.2360570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) emerges as a promising therapeutic intervention for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), yet its impact on physical function remains insufficiently explored. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relative effects of tDCS for physical function in patients with KOA. METHODS Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Database were explored as of August 2023 to identify studies to be included in the current systematic review and metaanalysis. Randomized controlled trials in patients with KOA comparing tDCS with placebo were included. The outcomes defined were measures of physical function (questionnaires, gait, or physical performance). The Risk of Bias tool was used to assess bias in the randomized controlled trials, whereas the PEDro scale was applied for methodological quality, and the certainty of evidence for each outcome was assessed through GRADE. Results for each outcome were synthesized using meta-analysis (random-effects model, I2-test for heterogeneity) and a subgroup analysis was performed to improve the sensitivity of the results and to explore potential moderating factors of the effect sizes. RESULTS Ten studies with good to excellent quality were included, analyzing a total of 628 participants. Regarding physical function, tDCS showed a favorable effect (ES: -0.58; 95%CI -0.82, -0.33; I2: 52.1%) with a low risk of bias and low to moderate certainty of evidence. The concurrent application of physiotherapy interventions and tDCS improved the effects on pain and function. Applying physiotherapy interventions, as well as adding peripheral currents, increased the effect sizes (ES: -0.95, k = 3, p = .018; ES: -0.95, k = 4 p = .001, respectively). The pattern of application of the tDCS, either daily or in alternate days, did not moderate the effect size (p = .619). Meta-regression revealed that the number of tDCS sessions did not moderate the effect size either (p = .242). CONCLUSION The tDCS might be a promising therapeutic approach to enhance physical function in subjects affected with KOA. However, further systematic reviews with meta-analyses should be performed with standardized and proven-efficacy physiotherapy programs, as well as with long-term results, to ascertain whether the improvement may be sustained over time. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing tDCS interventions for enhanced outcomes in the management of KOA.Protocol available via PROSPERO [CRD42023440676].
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Affiliation(s)
- José Lozano-Meca
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria-Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquina Montilla-Herrador
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria-Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Mariano Gacto-Sánchez
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEIR Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN), University of Murcia Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria-Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
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Shi Y, Wu W. Multimodal non-invasive non-pharmacological therapies for chronic pain: mechanisms and progress. BMC Med 2023; 21:372. [PMID: 37775758 PMCID: PMC10542257 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03076-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain conditions impose significant burdens worldwide. Pharmacological treatments like opioids have limitations. Non-invasive non-pharmacological therapies (NINPT) encompass diverse interventions including physical, psychological, complementary and alternative approaches, and other innovative techniques that provide analgesic options for chronic pain without medications. MAIN BODY This review elucidates the mechanisms of major NINPT modalities and synthesizes evidence for their clinical potential across chronic pain populations. NINPT leverages peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal mechanisms to restore normal pain processing and limit central sensitization. However, heterogeneity in treatment protocols and individual responses warrants optimization through precision medicine approaches. CONCLUSION Future adoption of NINPT requires addressing limitations in standardization and accessibility as well as synergistic combination with emerging therapies. Overall, this review highlights the promise of NINPT as a valuable complementary option ready for integration into contemporary pain medicine paradigms to improve patient care and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
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Nascimento RMD, Cavalcanti RL, Souza CG, Chaves G, Macedo LB. Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with peripheral stimulation in chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Rev Med Devices 2023; 20:121-140. [PMID: 35130800 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2022.2039623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The combination of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) with peripheral stimulation may optimize their effects and bring positive results in treatment of people with chronic pain. AREAS COVERED A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized trials was performed to investigate the combination of tDCS with peripheral stimulation in adults with chronic pain. The primary outcome was pain intensity. Six studies were included in this review (sample of 228 participants), which investigated the combination of tDCS and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, peripheral electrical stimulation, breathing-controlled electrical stimulation and intramuscular electrical stimulation. The conditions studied were knee osteoarthritis, spinal cord injury, chronic low back pain, and neurogenic pain of the arms. Pain intensity, measured by visual analog scale or numerical rating scale, was reduced in all included studies when at least one of the interventions was active, regardless they were combined or alone, with or without tDCS. However, meta-analysis showed superiority of tDCS used in combination with peripheral stimulation. EXPERT OPINION This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests positive effects of tDCS combined with peripheral stimulation in chronic pain conditions. However, the evidence of the primary outcome was classified as low quality due to the limited number of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Clécio Gabriel Souza
- Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairí, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Santa Cruz, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Chaves
- Research and Development, Myant Inc. . Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liane Brito Macedo
- Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairí, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Santa Cruz, Brazil
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Ramasawmy P, Khalid S, Petzke F, Antal A. Pain reduction in fibromyalgia syndrome through pairing transcranial direct current stimulation and mindfulness meditation: A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled pilot clinical trial. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:908133. [PMID: 36314032 PMCID: PMC9596988 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.908133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This double-blinded, randomized and sham-controlled pilot clinical trial aimed to investigate the preliminary clinical efficacy and feasibility of combining mindfulness meditation (MM) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for pain and associated symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods Included FMS patients (age: 33 to 70) were randomized to three different groups to receive either ten daily sessions of anodal tDCS over the left primary motor cortex paired with MM for 20 min (active + MM, n = 10), sham tDCS combined with MM (sham + MM, n = 10) or no intervention (NoT, n = 10). Patients in the bimodal therapy groups received a week of training in MM prior to the stimulation. Participants reported pain intensity, the primary outcome, by filling in a pain diary daily throughout the whole study. They were also evaluated for quality of life, pressure pain sensitivity, psychological wellbeing, sleep quality and sleep quantity. Assessments were performed at three time points (baseline, immediately after treatment and one-month follow-up). Results Participants in the active + MM group did not exhibit reduced pain intensity following the bimodal therapy compared to controls. Patients in active group demonstrated clinically meaningful and significantly higher quality of life following the therapeutic intervention than other groups. There was no significant difference among groups regarding pressure pain sensitivity, sleep parameters and psychological scales. The combined treatment was well tolerated among participants, with no serious adverse effects. Conclusion This study was the first to pair these two effective non-pharmacological therapies for pain management in FMS. In the light of an underpowered sample size, repetitive anodal tDCS combined with MM did not improve pain or FMS-associated symptoms. However, patients in the active + MM group reported higher quality of life than the control groups. Studies with more participants and longer follow-ups are required to confirm our findings. Clinical trial registration [www.drks.de], identifier [DRKS00023490].
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Affiliation(s)
- Perianen Ramasawmy
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Khalid
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frank Petzke
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Antal
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
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Zhu HQ, Luo J, Wang XQ, Zhang XA. Non-invasive brain stimulation for osteoarthritis. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:987732. [PMID: 36247995 PMCID: PMC9557732 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.987732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease, the prevalence of OA is increasing, and the elderly are the most common in patients with OA. OA has a severe impact on the daily life of patients, this increases the demand for treatment of OA. In recent years, the application of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has attracted extensive attention. It has been confirmed that NIBS plays an important role in regulating cortical excitability and oscillatory rhythm in specific brain regions. In this review, we summarized the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of different NIBS techniques in OA, clarified the potential of NIBS as a treatment choice for OA, and provided prospects for further research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Qi Zhu
- College of Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Xi’an University of Sport, Xi’an, China
| | - Xue-Qiang Wang
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Shangti Orthopaedic Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Xue-Qiang Wang,
| | - Xin-An Zhang
- College of Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Xin-An Zhang,
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Garcia-Larrea L, Quesada C. Cortical stimulation for chronic pain: from anecdote to evidence. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2022; 58:290-305. [PMID: 35343176 PMCID: PMC9980528 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.22.07411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Epidural stimulation of the motor cortex (eMCS) was devised in the 1990's, and has now largely supplanted thalamic stimulation for neuropathic pain relief. Its mechanisms of action involve activation of multiple cortico-subcortical areas initiated in the thalamus, with involvement of endogenous opioids and descending inhibition toward the spinal cord. Evidence for clinical efficacy is now supported by at least seven RCTs; benefits may persist up to 10 years, and can be reasonably predicted by preoperative use of non-invasive repetitive magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS first developed as a means of predicting the efficacy of epidural procedures, then as an analgesic method on its own right. Reasonable evidence from at least six well-conducted RCTs favors a significant analgesic effect of high-frequency rTMS of the motor cortex in neuropathic pain (NP), and less consistently in widespread/fibromyalgic pain. Stimulation of the dorsolateral frontal cortex (DLPFC) has not proven efficacious for pain, so far. The posterior operculo-insular cortex is a new and attractive target but evidence remains inconsistent. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is applied upon similar targets as rTMS and eMCS; it does not elicit action potentials but modulates the neuronal resting membrane state. tDCS presents practical advantages including low cost, few safety issues, and possibility of home-based protocols; however, the limited quality of most published reports entails a low level of evidence. Patients responsive to tDCS may differ from those improved by rTMS, and in both cases repeated sessions over a long time may be required to achieve clinically significant relief. Both invasive and non-invasive procedures exert their effects through multiple distributed brain networks influencing the sensory, affective and cognitive aspects of chronic pain. Their effects are mainly exerted upon abnormally sensitized pathways, rather than on acute physiological pain. Extending the duration of long-term benefits remains a challenge, for which different strategies are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Garcia-Larrea
- Central Integration of Pain (NeuroPain) Lab, Lyon Center for Neuroscience (CRNL), INSERM U1028, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France - .,University Hospital Pain Center (CETD), Neurological Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France -
| | - Charles Quesada
- Central Integration of Pain (NeuroPain) Lab, Lyon Center for Neuroscience (CRNL), INSERM U1028, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.,Department of Physiotherapy, Sciences of Rehabilitation Institute (ISTR), University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
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Teixeira PEP, Pacheco-Barrios K, Gunduz ME, Gianlorenço AC, Castelo-Branco L, Fregni F. Understanding intracortical excitability in phantom limb pain: A multivariate analysis from a multicenter randomized clinical trial. Neurophysiol Clin 2021; 51:161-173. [PMID: 33648819 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore associations of intracortical excitability with clinical characteristics in a large sample of subjects with phantom limb pain (PLP). METHODS Ancillary study using baseline and longitudinal data from a large multicenter randomized trial that investigated the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with sensorimotor training on PLP. Multivariate regression modeling analyses were used to investigate the association of intracortical excitability, measured by percentages of intracortical inhibition (ICI) and facilitation (ICF) with clinical variables. RESULTS Ninety-eight subjects were included. Phantom sensation of itching was positively associated with ICI changes and at baseline in the affected hemisphere (contralateral to PLP). However, in the non-affected hemisphere (ipsilateral to PLP), the phantom sensation of warmth and PLP intensity were negatively associated with ICI (both models). For the ICF, PLP intensity (baseline model only) and age (longitudinal model) were negatively associated, while time since amputation and amputation level (both for longitudinal model only) were positively associated in the affected hemisphere. Additionally, use of antidepressants led to lower ICF in the non-affected hemisphere for the baseline model while higher amputation level also led to less changes in the ICF. CONCLUSION Results revealed clear associations of clinical variables and cortical excitability in a large chronic pain sample. ICI and ICF changes appear not to be mainly explained by PLP intensity. Instead, other variables associated with duration of neuroplasticity changes (such as age and duration of amputation) and compensatory mechanisms (such as itching and phantom limb sensation) seem to be more important in explaining these variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo E P Teixeira
- Neuromodulation and Clinical Research Learning Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA; Instituto Wilson Mello, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Kevin Pacheco-Barrios
- Neuromodulation and Clinical Research Learning Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Lima, Peru
| | - Muhammed Enes Gunduz
- Neuromodulation and Clinical Research Learning Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna Carolyna Gianlorenço
- Neuromodulation and Clinical Research Learning Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Laboratory of neuroscience, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis Castelo-Branco
- Neuromodulation and Clinical Research Learning Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Neuromodulation and Clinical Research Learning Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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