Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Conjunction with Individualized Physical Therapy for Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · Nov 9, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment approach for people with chronic knee pain, which affects many adults and can make it hard to move around. The researchers want to find out if using a method called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) alongside personalized physical therapy (PT) can help reduce pain and improve mobility more effectively than just physical therapy alone. tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that may help change how the brain processes pain.

To participate in the study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have had knee pain for more than three months. You should not have had surgery on the affected knee, and there are some other health conditions that might make you ineligible. If you join the study, you will be randomly assigned to either the active tDCS treatment plus PT or a placebo (sham) tDCS treatment with PT, and you will go through eight sessions. Throughout the trial, researchers will measure your pain levels, strength, and ability to perform daily activities to see how well the treatment works. This study could lead to better options for managing chronic pain by addressing both the physical and brain-related aspects.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age \>/= 18 years old
• • Knee pain
• • Knee pain duration \>/= 3 months
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • General exclusion criteria
• • History of surgery on affected knee
• • Pregnant
• • tDCS exclusion criteria
• • Skin hypersensitivity
• • History of contact dermatitis
• • Any other skin or scalp condition that could be aggravated by tDCS
• • Previous adverse reactions to tDCS