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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01860950

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain Perception

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a new medical technology can temporarily alter pain perception. The new technology is called Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

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Key information

Conditions

Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

About this study

Healthy subjects underwent thermal pain tolerance testing pre- and post intervention. The intervention includes either anodal, cathodal, or sham tDCS for 20 minutes during a pain cognitive intervention [either brief cognitive intervention (BCI) or general pain education]. The tDCS brand was the Phoresor-II Auto (Model PM850, Iomed, Salt Lake City Utah, USA) and the current was set to 2.0mA. Electrodes were 4x4 cm sponge electrodes soaked in sterile saline. For anodal and cathodal tDCS, One electrode was placed over the left DLPFC (F3 from the EEG 10-20 system) located via the Beam F3 measurement system and the other electrode was attached to the right shoulder. For sham tDCS, the device was turned on for 30 seconds to temporarily mimic tingling and skin sensations of real tDCS and then ramped-down to 0mA for the duration of the 20-minute session.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • 100 Health Individuals recruited from Charleston ,SC

Exclusion criteria

  • Can not be pregnant
  • No history of Depression, chronic pain, Seizers, suicidal implanted metal devices, history of brain surgery, loss of consciousness.

Treatment and study plan

Anodal tDCS

Device

a single 20-minute session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the anode electrode placed over the left DLPFC and the cathode electrode attached to the right shoulder

Other names: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Phoresor-II Auto

Cathodal tDCS

Device

a single 20-minute session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the anode attached to the right shoulder and the cathode electrode placed over the left DLPFC.

Other names: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Phoresor-II Auto

Sham tDCS

Device

Participants were provided pain education during 20 minutes of sham tDCS. For sham, the device was turned on for 30 seconds to temporarily mimic tingling and skin sensations of real tDCS and then ramped-down to 0mA for the duration of the 20-minute session

Other names: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Phoresor-II Auto

Primary outcomes

  1. Pre-Intervention Pain Tolerance

    Time frame: Duration of the study visit, approximately 2 hours

    Participants will undergo comprehensive laboratory pain assessment including hot and cold, sensory and pain threshold assessment using the Method of Limits with the Pathway Thermo-sensory Analyzer System (Medoc Inc., NC) which is specifically designed for assessing laboratory pain perception.

  2. Post-Intervention Pain Tolerance

    Time frame: Duration of the study visit, approximately 2 hours

    Participants will undergo comprehensive laboratory pain assessment including hot and cold, sensory and pain threshold assessment using the Method of Limits with the Pathway Thermo-sensory Analyzer System (Medoc Inc., NC) which is specifically designed for assessing laboratory pain perception.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants That Correctly Guessed Condition Assignment

    Time frame: 2 hours

    Participants guessed whether they received real tDCS or Sham tDCS. The base-rate for correctly guessing real versus sham was 50%.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medical University of South Carolina

Other

Registry information

Acronym: tDCS-CBT

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
May 23, 2013
Registry last updated
Dec 4, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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