NCT07162311

Effect of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With Low Inflammatory Activity

Effect of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With Low Inflammatory Activity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 34 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly complex inflammatory autoimmune disease. Several drugs have been developed in recent decades to target the immune components of inflammation. However, even with effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies for controlling RA, many patients still report significant levels of chronic pain due to CNS neuroplasticity, perpetuating physical disability, psychosocial problems, decreased work activity, and poor quality of life. In addition, chronic pain can lead to increased public spending due to the need for more medical visits, ineffective drug treatments, and financial disability benefits. Transcranial stimulation (a noninvasive neural stimulation technique with minimal adverse effects and easy home use) has been a promising adjunct tool in the treatment of chronic pain and psychological disorders in diseases that affect the central nervous system in the long term. Thus, exploring transcranial direct current stimulation in RA patients with low levels of inflammation could impact on improving pain, functionality, psychological aspects and overall quality of life, as well as reducing healthcare costs for society.

Detailed description

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly complex inflammatory autoimmune disease. Several drugs have been developed in recent decades to target the immune components of inflammation. However, even with effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies for controlling RA, many patients still report significant levels of chronic pain due to CNS neuroplasticity, perpetuating physical disability, psychosocial problems, decreased work activity, and poor quality of life. In addition, chronic pain can lead to increased public spending due to the need for more medical visits, ineffective drug treatments, and financial disability benefits. Transcranial stimulation (a noninvasive neural stimulation technique with minimal adverse effects and easy home use) has been a promising adjunct tool in the treatment of chronic pain and psychological disorders in diseases that affect the central nervous system in the long term. Thus, exploring transcranial direct current stimulation in RA patients with low levels of inflammation could impact on improving pain, functionality, psychological aspects and overall quality of life, as well as reducing healthcare costs for society.

Conditions

• Rheumatic Arthritis
• Chronic Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	tDCS	Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-01-01
• Primary completion: 2028-12-22
• Completion: 2028-12-22
• First posted: 2025-09-09
• Last updated: 2025-09-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Brazil