Skip to content

Direct Current Stimulation for Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Direct Current Stimulation Versus Sham for Treatment of Fibromyalgia: a Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02704611
Enrollment
36
Registered
2016-03-10
Start date
2015-10-31
Completion date
2016-06-30
Last updated
2016-03-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Fibromyalgia

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in treating fibromyalgia. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups: Group I (Intervention group) tDCS (2mA for 25 minutes on 5 consecutive days/week for 2 weeks with the anode centered over M1 bilaterally Anodal tDCS for 20 minutes at 1.5 mA (15 s ramp in and 15 s ramp out) will be applied daily for 10 consecutive days (5 sessions/week) . The anodal electrode (24 cm² with current density of 0.08 mA (2mA/24 cm²) will be placed over the left primary motor area in group I, and the reference electrode (24 cm² will be fixed over the contralateral arm (extracephalic). Daily tDCS was given to prolong and stabilize these long-lasting after-effects. Group II will receive sham tDCS will be applied using the above described parameters in group I. For sham tDCS, the placement of the electrodes, current intensity, and ramp time was identical to real tDCS stimulation group; however, the stimulation lasted only for 30 Sec. However, since none of the patients have been experienced tDCS previously, they were unaware of which stimulation is real and which sham is. The investigator responsible for delivering tDCS had no contact with the patients. All study participants will be followed up by the same evaluation sheet and by an evaluator who are blinded to the type of intervention she /he has received.Evaluation will be done pre assessment, post 5 sessions, post 10 sessions, post one month and post 2 months by using wide spread pain index (WPI) & symptoms severity of fibromyalgia, measuring visual analogue scale (VAS), Depression and anxiety will be assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS) and anxiety scale, pain sensitivity threshold by using Electronic Von Frey unit EVF4 . Determination of human beta-endorphin level before start sessions and after end 10 sessions.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in relieving pain of patients with fibromyalgia. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups: Group I (Intervention group) tDCS (2mA for 25 minutes on 5 consecutive days/week for 2 weeks with the anode centered over M1 bilaterally Anodal tDCS for 20 minutes at 1.5 mA (15 s ramp in and 15 s ramp out) will be applied daily for 10 consecutive days (5 sessions/week) . The anodal electrode (24 cm² with current density of 0.08 mA (2mA/24 cm²) will be placed over the left primary motor area in group I, and the reference electrode (24 cm² will be fixed over the contralateral arm (extracephalic). Because brief exposure to tDCS has no after-effects whereas researchers used 20min duration in order to produce robust after-effects. Daily tDCS was given to prolong and stabilize these long-lasting after-effects. Group II will receive sham tDCS will be applied using the above described parameters in group I. For sham tDCS, the placement of the electrodes, current intensity, and ramp time was identical to real tDCS stimulation group; however, the stimulation lasted only for 30 Sec. However, since none of the patients have been experienced tDCS previously, they were unaware of which stimulation is real and which sham is. The investigator responsible for delivering tDCS had no contact with the patients. All study participants will be followed up by the same evaluation sheet and by an evaluator who are blinded to the type of intervention she /he has received.Evaluation will be done pre assessment, post 5 sessions, post 10 sessions, post one month and post 2 months by using wide spread pain index (WPI) & symptoms severity of fibromyalgia, measuring visual analogue scale (VAS), Depression and anxiety will be assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS) and anxiety scale, pain sensitivity threshold by using Electronic Von Frey unit EVF4 . Determination of human beta-endorphin level before start sessions and after end 10 sessions.

Interventions

DEVICEReal tDCS

Real tDCS (2mA for 25 minutes on 5 consecutive days/week for 2 weeks with the anode centered over M1 bilaterally. Anodal tDCS for 20 minutes at 1.5mA (15 s ramp in and 15 s ramp out) will be applied daily for 10 consecutive days (5 sessions/week). The anodal electrode 24 cm² with current density of 0.08 mA (2mA/24 cm²) will be placed over the left primary motor area in group I, and the reference electrode (24 cm² will be fixed over the contralateral arm (extracephalic).

DEVICESham tDCS

Sham tDCS will be applied using the above described parameters in group. For sham tDCS, the placement of the electrodes, current intensity, and ramp time was identical to real tDCS stimulation group; however, the stimulation lasted only for 30 Sec. However, since none of the patients have been experienced tDCS previously, they were unaware of which stimulation is real and which sham is. The investigator responsible for delivering tDCS had no contact with the patients.

Sponsors

Dina Hatem Elhammady
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients diagnosed as fibromyalgia according to the American college of rheumatology classification, (ACR) 2010 and referred to any of the above clinics for treatment. * Patients must have a mean pain score ≥ 4 on a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) during the 2 weeks preceding the clinical trial. * Patients from nearby districts to ensure good availability for follow-up.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients refused to participate in the trial. * Patients with any uncontrolled clinical disease (as evaluated by each patient's clinician), such as any associated rheumatologic, thyroid, cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, or renal diseases, pregnancy, lactation, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Change in pain Scores as measured by the Visual Analog Scale2 months

Countries

Egypt

Contacts

Primary ContactDina H. El-Hammady, MD
dinael_hammady73@yahoo.com00201223971467
Backup ContactEman Khedr, MD
emankhedr99@yahoo.com00201223971457

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 9, 2026