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Effects of tDCS in Elderly With Pain Due to Knee Osteoarthritis

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Osteoarthritis, Knee
Chronic Pain
Interventions
Device: Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Device: Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Registration Number
NCT03117231
Lead Sponsor
Federal University of São Paulo
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if anodal tDCS stimulation over M1 may decrease chronic knee OA pain in elderly subjects with defective CPM. In addition, this trial will help to investigate the role of central sensitization in knee OA and evaluate how tDCS stimulation may affect it.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
104
Inclusion Criteria
  • Individuals > 60 years old, of both genders.
  • Diagnosis of primary knee osteoarthritis with chronic pain self-reported.
  • Be able to sign the informed consent to participate in the study.
  • Chronic pain (over the past 6 months) of at least 4 on a 0-10 VAS scale on average.
  • Reduction on VAS (visual analogic scale) during CPM (conditioned pain modulation) < 10%
Exclusion Criteria
  • Contraindications to transcranial brain stimulation, i.e. implanted brain medical devices or implanted brain metallic devices.
  • Severe acute or chronic decompensated disease.
  • Cognitive and behavioral impairment.
  • Epilepsy.
  • History of fractures in the lower limbs and/or spine in the last 6 months.
  • Use of carbamazepine within the past 6 months as self-reported.
  • Severe depression (with a score of >30 in the Beck Depression Inventory)
  • History of syncope.
  • Traumatic brain injury with residual neurological deficits.
  • History of alcohol abuse within the past 6 months as self-reported.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Active tDCSActive Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)Subjects will undergo low-intensity transcranial electrical stimulation for 20 minutes.
Sham tDCSSham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)Subjects will undergo low-intensity transcranial electrical stimulation for 20 minutes.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in Pain ScaleMeasured at baseline and up to 60 days after the end of stimulation

Determine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation is effective in reducing pain in subjects with chronic pain due to knee osteoarthritis, as measured by changes in the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in Quality of LifeMeasured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the of stimulation

The investigators will use the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess changes in quality of life.

Changes in Physical Function as measured through Lequesne IndexMeasured at baseline, 15, 30, and 60 days after the end of stimulation

The investigators will use the Lequesne Index to assess changes in functional capacity.

Changes in Patient Global AssessmentMeasured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 after the end of stimulation

Modifications in the patient global assessment will be evaluated by measuring changes in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Changes in Physical Function as measured through Western Ontário and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis IndexMeasured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of stimulation

The investigators will use the Western Ontário and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) to assess changes in functional capacity.

Adverse EventsUp to 60 days after the end of stimulation

Subjects will complete a questionnaire, after each session, to assess potential adverse events of stimulation (headache, neck pain, mood alterations, and seizures) on a 5-point scale.

Changes in MoodUp to 60 days after the end of stimulation

The safety of tDCS will be monitored by measuring changes in the Visual Analog Mood Scale.

Changes in cognitionUp to 60 days after the end of stimulation

The safety of tDCS will be monitored by measuring changes in the MMSE.

One leg standing balance testMeasured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of stimulation

The investigators will analyse how long time the subject can stay stand on one foot to analise those balance.

Timed Up and Go TestMeasured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of stimulation

The investigators will measure the walking speed of the subjects.

Changes Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT)Measured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of stimulation

Changes in the pain pressure threshold will be analyzed in order to determine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation is effective in increasing the pain pressure threshold in subjects with osteoarthritis knee pain.

Changes in mechanical detection threshold as measured through Von-Frey monofilamentsMeasured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of stimulation

Changes in the mechanical detection threshold (MDT) will be measured through calibrated Von-Frey monofilaments in order to determine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation is effective in increasing the mechanical detection threshold of subjects with osteoarthritis knee pain.

Changes in mechanical pain threshold as measured through Von-Frey monofilamentsMeasured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of stimulation

Changes in the mechanical pain threshold (MDT) will be measured through calibrated Von-Frey monofilaments in order to determine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation is effective in increasing the mechanical pain threshold of subjects with osteoarthritis knee pain.

Descending Noxious Inhibitory Control (DNIC)Measured at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of stimulation

The investigators will monitore the central modulation of pain.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Daniela Tavares

🇧🇷

São Paulo, SP, Brazil

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