The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with neuropathic pain from spinal cord injury

摘要: Abstract Objective Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has demonstrated efficacy for reducing neuropathic pain, but the respective mechanisms remain largely unknown. The study tested hypothesis that pain reduction with tDCS is associated an increase in peak frequency spectrum density theta–alpha range. Methods Twenty patients spinal cord injury and bilateral received single sessions of both sham anodal (2 mA) over left primary motor area (M1) 20 min. Treatment order was randomly assigned. Pre- to post-procedure changes intensity electroencephalogram spectral analysis were compared between treatment conditions. Results active condition (anodal M1) not resulted significant decreases intensity. In addition, consistent hypothesis, (PTAF) assessed from electrode placed site increased more pre- post-session among participants condition, relative those condition. Moreover, we found a association decrease PTAF at site. Conclusions findings are possibility M1 may be effective, least part, because it results cortical excitability, perhaps due inhibitory effect cortex influence descending modulation system. Future research needed determine if there causal anterior activity reduction. Significance provide new regarding effects on brain oscillation changes.