NCT02954432

Effects of tDCS and TUS on the Perception of Pain and Functional Limitations Due to Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Transcranial Ultrasound (TUS) on the Perception of Pain and Functional Limitations Due to Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP).

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of tDCS in combination with TUS for the treatment of pain and functional limitations in subjects with NSCLBP. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a decrease in pain levels with active stimulation, when compared to sham stimulation.

Conditions

• Chronic Pain
• Chronic Low Back Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Subjects will receive 20 minutes of either active or sham tDCS at an intensity of 2 milliamps (mA). The anodal electrode will be placed over the primary motor cortex contralateral to the most painful side, and the cathodal electrode will be placed over the contralateral supraorbital area. In the sham group, the tDCS device will not be active for the full 20 minutes.
DEVICE	Transcranial Ultrasound (TUS)	Subjects will receive 20 minutes of either active or sham TUS. During active stimulation the ultrasound will be active for the full 20 minutes- however, during sham stimulation the ultrasound will not be active for the full 20 minutes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-11-01
• Primary completion: 2022-11-01
• Completion: 2026-09-01
• First posted: 2016-11-03
• Last updated: 2025-09-29
• Results posted: 2024-04-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States