Effects of tDCS Combined With CBI on Postsurgical Pain

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Dec 12, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether a new treatment can help reduce pain after total knee or hip replacement surgery. The treatment involves a technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which uses a gentle electrical current to stimulate parts of the brain that may help lessen pain. This method is used alongside a Cognitive-Behavioral intervention (CBI), which helps patients manage their thoughts and feelings about pain. The goal is to see if this combination can lower pain levels and reduce the need for strong pain medications after surgery.

To participate in the study, you need to be a patient scheduled for knee or hip replacement surgery at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston, SC, and you should be able to read, write, and follow instructions in English. The study is open to a wide age range of veterans, and you cannot have certain medical conditions, like implanted devices above the waist or a history of seizures. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups and will be monitored for 48 hours post-surgery to assess their pain and functioning. This trial aims to provide valuable insights into how these new techniques can improve recovery after surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants will be 120 patients (132 recruited to account for 10% drop-out rate) undergoing TKA or THA surgery at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston SC.
• • Mentally capable of reading, writing, giving consent, and following instructions
• • Cleared for, and scheduled for unilateral TKA or THA surgery
• • Able to hear CB intervention and understand educational materials through headphones in English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • implanted medical devices above the waist
• • pregnant
• • history of seizures
• • allergic to latex rubber
• • psychiatric conditions except for depression and/or anxiety disorders (commonly seen in this population).