Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Food Craving in Women Affected by Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Craving is a multifactorial behavior caused by central circuit imbalance. The proposed treatments involve exercise and reduced food intake. However, the treatments frequently fail. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 10 consecutive sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on food craving and eating consumption of women affected by overweight and obesity. METHODS: A randomized double-blind controlled trial with 50 volunteers was divided into two groups (active-tDCS: n = 25 and sham-tDCS: n = 25). There were a total of 10 consecutive tDCS sessions (2 mA, for 20 min) with an F4 anodal-F3 cathodal montage. We evaluated the effects on eating behavior (food craving, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, and cognitive restriction), food consumption (calories and macronutrients), and anthropometric and body composition variables (weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant results between groups at the baseline regarding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Also, there was no significant interaction between time versus group for any of the variables studied. Treatment with tDCS was well tolerated and there were no serious adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: In women affected by overweight and obesity with food cravings, 10 sessions of F4 (anodal) and F3 (cathodal) tDCS did not produce changes in eating behavior, food consumption, and anthropometric and body composition.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Associated With Functional Exercise Program for Treating Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) associated with functional exercise on pain, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized by blocks into 2 groups: tDCS associated with functional exercise (n=17) and sham-tDCS associated with functional exercise (n=14). SETTING: Laboratory of neuromuscular performance in the department of physical therapy. PARTICIPANTS: Women with FM (N=31) according to American College of Rheumatology-2010 criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Anodal tDCS or sham-tDCS was applied over the left motor cortex for 5 consecutive days during the first week of intervention (2 mA; 20min). All volunteers also engaged in 8 weeks of functional exercises 3 times per week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain intensity, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life were assessed pre-exercise and immediately after the first, fourth, and eighth weeks of intervention. RESULTS: Pain intensity, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life increased significantly in both groups (P<.05); however, no significant differences between groups were found in all outcomes (P>.05). CONCLUSION: tDCS associated with functional exercises did not enhance the effects of physical exercise on pain, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life of patients with FM.

Game therapy a new approach to treat women facing mixed urinary incontinence: A study protocol.

AIMS: To describe a pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) isolated and associated with game therapy (PFMT + GT) for women facing mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) during climacteric period. METHODS: To standardize a randomized controlled clinical trial intervention, a protocol was created, in an attempt to decrease women's symptomatology generated by MUI, through pelvic floor and abdomino-loin-pelvic muscles strength, and endurance. This study protocol will be composed of 32 volunteers, divided into two groups of 16. They will perform PFMT isolated or PFMT + GT, twice a week during 8 weeks. Interventions will last 40 minutes and will be divided into warming (5 minutes), training (30 minutes), and 5 minutes will be composed of resting time between exercises (1 minute each). Isolated PFMT sessions will be performed through four modalities of exercises: diaphragmatic, bridge, abdominal (plank), and pelvic mobility. PFMT + GT training will be carried out by using Wii Fit Plus games, such as Lotus Focus, Penguin Slide, Basic Step, and Hula Hoop from Wii equipment. Assessments will occur before, after, and 1 month after interventions. Vaginal manometry, 1-hour Pad Test, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and Patient Global Intervention (PGI) will be used to evaluate the sample. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected greater increase on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength, endurance, vaginal pressure for PFMT + GG. Moreover, it is supposed that PFMT + GT volunteers present better treatment adherence due to games motivational inclusion.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of five consecutive sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the motor cortex (M1) on pain, mood, and physical performance in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PDM). DESIGN: This is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two participants with PDM according to the No. 345-PDM Consensus Guideline were included. METHODS: Eleven active treatment and 11 sham stimulation patients received five applications over a one-week period. The primary outcome measures were pain evaluated by numeric rating scale (NRS) and McGill Questionnaire score. Secondary outcomes measures were responses to the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), grip strength, and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Baseline data were performed during the first menstrual cycle, and during the second menstrual cycle, participants were conducted to tDCS treatment, and postintervention data were collected. RESULTS: The intervention provided significant improvements on NRS in active tDCS, shown as an interaction between group intervention vs pre/postintervention vs days of menstrual cycle (Wald x2 = 10.54, P = 0.005), main effect of days of menstrual cycle (Wald x2 = 25.42, P < 0.001), and pre/postintervention (Wald x2 = 6.97, P = 0.008). McGill showed an interaction effect between pre/postintervention and group of stimulation (Wald x2 = 18.45, P = 0.001), with a large reduction in active tDCS (P < 0.001, d = 0.75). Psychological and functional outcomes did not differ between groups or pre/postintervention. CONCLUSIONS: tDCS could provide pain relief in subjects with PDM. These results provide some preliminary evidence for the potential role of tDCS as a contributor to the management of symptoms of PDM.

Low-level laser therapy improves pain in postcesarean section: a randomized clinical trial.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on immediate postpartum pain relief during cesarean section. A randomized, parallel controlled trial was carried out. In total, 88 women with immediate postpartum were divided into 4 groups: control group (n = 22), placebo group (n = 22), experimental group I (n = 22, dose of 4 J/cm2), and experimental group II (n = 22, dose of 2 J/cm2). The pain measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), algometry, and Global Change Perception Scale (GCPS) was assessed at 12, 20-24, and 44-48 h postpartum. Two LLLT sessions were performed at 12 and 24 h postpartum. A significant interaction was observed between time versus group for NRS F (2.40) = 36.80, p < 0.001 and algometry F (1.70) = 27.18, p < 0.001. GCPS revealed a significant difference between the groups during second (p = 0.04) and third evaluation (p = 0.04). The NRS and algometry presented a large effect size for the experimental groups. LLLT is an efficient method to reduce pain and enhance the GCP in postcesarean section. No significant clinical differences were found between the laser doses.

Comparison of pelvic floor muscle training isolated and associated with weight loss: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To analyze whether pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) associated with weight loss (WL) is better than isolated PFMT to provide additional beneficial effects to urinary symptoms in women with MUI. METHODS: A randomized, simple-blind parallel controlled trial was performed and included women with MUI aged between 40 and 65 years and body mass index between 25 and 40 kg/m2. The sample was randomized into two groups: 11 PFMT + WL and 11 PFMT. Data collection was performed in baseline and after interventions. The primary outcome was to investigate the loss of urine. Secondary aim includes PFM pressure and quality of life. PFMT was performed with two sets of eight repetitions in the first 4 weeks, and with three sets of eight repetitions in the final 4 weeks. The weight loss program was based on the calculation of total energy value needs. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 20.0 software and one-way ANCOVA. RESULTS: 22 volunteers participated in the study. There was no intergroup significant difference in post-intervention ICIQ-SF F(1, 19) = 7.115, p = 0.87, partial η2 = 0.001; manometry F(1, 19) = 0.608, p = 0.44, partial η2 = 0.003; pad test 1 h F(1, 19) = 0.185, p = 0.67, partial η2 = 0.01; QoL F(1, 19) = 1.018, p = 0.32, partial η2 = 0.05; and weight F(1, 19) = 0.251, p = 0.62, partial η2 = 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss did not provide additional beneficial effects to PFMT in women with overweight or obesity grade I with MUI symptoms.

Beyond the target area: an integrative view of tDCS-induced motor cortex modulation in patients and athletes.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique used to modulate neural tissue. Neuromodulation apparently improves cognitive functions in several neurologic diseases treatment and sports performance. In this study, we present a comprehensive, integrative review of tDCS for motor rehabilitation and motor learning in healthy individuals, athletes and multiple neurologic and neuropsychiatric conditions. We also report on neuromodulation mechanisms, main applications, current knowledge including areas such as language, embodied cognition, functional and social aspects, and future directions. We present the use and perspectives of new developments in tDCS technology, namely high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) which promises to overcome one of the main tDCS limitation (i.e., low focality) and its application for neurological disease, pain relief, and motor learning/rehabilitation. Finally, we provided information regarding the Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) in clinical applications, Cerebellar tDCS (ctDCS) and its influence on motor learning, and TMS combined with electroencephalography (EEG) as a tool to evaluate tDCS effects on brain function.

ChatGPT and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Chronic Pain.

Objective: We aimed to open a discussion about the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in science and clinical practice, specifically with regard to the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a technique for managing chronic pain. Main Points of Discussion: To analyze the responses generated by ChatGPT and the best literature about tDCS, we formulated three questions. The answers from ChatGPT, compared to the guidelines and Cochrane review, showed that AI can be a potential strategy to help clinicians and researchers. AI such as ChatGPT is revolutionizing the academic field and clinical practice. However, there is still an unmet scientific and clinical discussion about the insertion of AI to help researchers and clinicians in the neuromodulation area treat chronic pain. Conclusion: We need to know the limits of the use of AI. Even though ChatGPT might be helpful, it should be used with caution in the academic field and clinical practice.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct current stimulation adjunct to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in hypertensive individuals.

Background: Hypertension is a global issue that is projected to worsen with increasingly obese populations. The central nervous system including the parts of the cortex plays a key role in hemodynamic stability and homeostatic control of blood pressure (BP), making them critical components in understanding and investigating the neural control of BP. This study investigated the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) associated with aerobic physical exercise on BP and heart rate variability in hypertensive patients. Methods: Twenty hypertensive patients were randomized into two groups: active tDCS associated with aerobic exercise or sham tDCS associated with aerobic exercise. BP and heart rate variability were analyzed before (baseline) and after twelve non-consecutive sessions. After each tDCS session (2 mA for 20 min), moderate-intensity aerobic exercise was carried out on a treadmill for 40 min. Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled (53.9 ± 10.6 years, 30.1 ± 3.7 Kg/m2). There were no significant interactions between time and groups on diastolic BP during wake, sleep, over 24 and 3 h after the last intervention. Heart rate variability variables showed no significant difference for time, groups and interaction analysis, except for HF (ms2) between groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Anodal tDCS over the temporal cortex associated with aerobic exercise did not induce improvements in BP and heart rate variability. Clinical trial registration: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-56jg3n/1, identifier: RBR-56jg3n.

Anodal tDCS over the motor cortex improves pain but not physical function in chronic chikungunya arthritis: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a globally prevalent pathogen, with outbreaks occurring in tropical regions. Chronic pain is the main symptom reported and is associated with decreased mobility and disability. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is emerging as a new therapeutic tool for chronic arthralgia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of 10 consecutive sessions of anodal tDCS on pain (primary outcome) in participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia. Secondary outcomes included functional status, quality of life, and mood. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia were randomly assigned to receive either active (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) tDCS. The active group received 10 consecutive sessions of tDCS over M1 using the C3/Fp2 montage (2 mA for 20 min). Visual analog scale of pain (VAS), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), short-form 36 health survey (SF-36), pain catastrophizing scale, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAS), timed up and go (TUG) test, lumbar dynamometry, 30-s arm curl and 2-min step test were assessed at baseline, day 10 and at 2 follow-up visits. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between group and time on pain (p = 0.03; effect size 95 % CI 0.9 (-1.67 to -0.16), with a significant time interaction (p = 0.0001). There was no interaction between time and group for the 2-minute step test (p = 0.18), but the groups differed significantly at day 10 (p = 0.01), first follow-up (p = 0.01) and second follow-up (p = 0.03). HAQ and SF-36 improved but not significantly. There was no significant improvement in mental health, and physical tests. CONCLUSION: tDCS appears to be a promising intervention for reducing pain in participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia, although further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential long-term benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-245rh7.

Clinical usability study of a home-based self-administration transcranial direct current stimulation for primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial.

This study tested the usability of a home-based self-administration transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device designed specifically for women's health needs. This is a single center triple blinded clinical usability study for a new wireless, Bluetooth-controlled wearable tDCS device for women's health. The study aims to evaluate the usability and effective blinding of a home-based tDCS system. A total of forty-nine women of reproductive age were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive one session of active tDCS (n = 24) or sham tDCS (n = 25) over the motor and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Each participant self-administered one 20-minute session without supervision following guidance on a software application alone. The System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) were used to evaluate the usability of the system. Regardless of sham or active conditions, all users found the system easy to use without the support of researchers. Usability scores were considered to be "excellent" in both groups and no significant difference was found between sham and active groups showing effective blinding of the device (Active group: 93.7 (83.1-97.5); Sham group 90 (86.2-95) p = 0.79) and PGIC (Active group: 2 (1-2.75); Sham group 2 (1-2) p = 0.99) using an unpaired t-test or non-parametric statistical tests accordingly. The new Bluetooth-controlled wearable tDCS device is easy, safe to use and completely controlled by a smartphone app. This device is focused on women's health and will be tested as an alternative treatment for chronic pelvic pain and mood disturbance associated with menstrual cycles in further research.

Spectrochemical approach combined with symptoms data to diagnose fibromyalgia through paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) and multivariate classification.

This study performs a chemical investigation of blood plasma samples from patients with and without fibromyalgia, combined with some of the symptoms and their levels of intensity used in the diagnosis of this disease. The symptoms evaluated were: visual analogue pain scale (VAS); fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ); Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM); Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TAMPA); quality of life Questionnaire-physical and mental health (QL); and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (CAT). Plasma samples were analyzed by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS). Spectral data were organized into datasets and related to each of the symptoms measured. The datasets were submitted to multivariate classification using supervised models such as principal component analysis with linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA), successive projections algorithm with linear discriminant analysis (SPA-LDA), genetic algorithm with linear discriminant analysis (GA-LDA) and their versions with quadratic discriminant analysis (PCA/SPA/GA-QDA) and support vector machines (PCA/SPA/GA-SVM). These algorithm combinations were performed aiming the best class separation. Good discrimination between the controls and fibromyalgia samples were observed using PCA-LDA, where the spectral data associated with the CAT symptom achieved 100% classification sensitivity, and associated with the VAS symptom achieved 100% classification specificity, with both symptoms at the moderate level of intensity. The spectral variable at 579 m/z was found to be substantially significant for classification according to the PCA loadings. According to the human metabolites database, this variable can be associated with a LysoPC compound, which comprises a class of metabolites already evidenced in other studies for fibromyalgia diagnosis. This study proposed an investigation of spectral data combined with clinical data to compare the classification ability of different datasets. The good classification results obtained confirm this technique is as a good analytical tool for the detection of fibromyalgia, and provides theoretical support for other studies about fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with Pilates-based exercises in the treatment of chronic low back pain in outpatient rehabilitation service in Brazil: double-blind randomised controlled trial protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain may be associated with pathoanatomical, neurophysiological, physical, psychological and social factors; thus, treatments to reduce symptoms are important to improve the quality of life of this population. We aimed to evaluate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with Pilates-based exercises compared with sham stimulation on pain, quality of life and disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial with participants, outcome assessor and statistician blinded. We will include 36 individuals with a history of non-specific chronic low back pain for more than 12 weeks and minimum pain intensity of 3 points on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Individuals will be randomised into two groups: (1) active tDCS combined with Pilates-based exercises and (2) sham tDCS combined with Pilates-based exercises. Three weekly sessions of the protocol will be provided for 4 weeks, and individuals will be submitted to three assessments: the first (T0) will be performed before the intervention protocol, the second (T1) immediately after the intervention protocol and the third (T2) will be a follow-up 1 month after the end of the intervention. We will assess pain, disability, central sensitisation, quality of life, pressure pain threshold, global impression of change, adverse events and medication use. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire will be used at T1 to assess pain and disability, respectively, as primary outcome measures. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial was prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov website and ethically approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi (report number: 5.411.244) before data collection. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed medical journal and on institution websites. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05467566).

Identifying biomarkers for tDCS treatment response in Alzheimer's disease patients: a machine learning approach using resting-state EEG classification.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising treatment for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, identifying objective biomarkers that can predict brain stimulation efficacy, remains a challenge. The primary aim of this investigation is to delineate the cerebral regions implicated in AD, taking into account the existing lacuna in comprehension of these regions. In pursuit of this objective, we have employed a supervised machine learning algorithm to prognosticate the neurophysiological outcomes resultant from the confluence of tDCS therapy plus cognitive intervention within both the cohort of responders and non-responders to antecedent tDCS treatment, stratified on the basis of antecedent cognitive outcomes. Methods: The data were obtained through an interventional trial. The study recorded high-resolution electroencephalography (EEG) in 70 AD patients and analyzed spectral power density during a 6 min resting period with eyes open focusing on a fixed point. The cognitive response was assessed using the AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale. The training process was carried out through a Random Forest classifier, and the dataset was partitioned into K equally-partitioned subsamples. The model was iterated k times using K-1 subsamples as the training bench and the remaining subsample as validation data for testing the model. Results: A clinical discriminating EEG biomarkers (features) was found. The ML model identified four brain regions that best predict the response to tDCS associated with cognitive intervention in AD patients. These regions included the channels: FC1, F8, CP5, Oz, and F7. Conclusion: These findings suggest that resting-state EEG features can provide valuable information on the likelihood of cognitive response to tDCS plus cognitive intervention in AD patients. The identified brain regions may serve as potential biomarkers for predicting treatment response and maybe guide a patient-centered strategy. Clinical Trial Registration: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02772185?term=NCT02772185&draw=2&rank=1, identifier ID: NCT02772185.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): Pain Management in End-Stage Renal Disease - Report of an Early Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Chronic pain in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is an increasingly neglected clinical problem affecting more than 60% of patients. Long-term chronic pain could be associated with brain imbalance in circuits of pain matrix and is associated with poor quality of life (QoL) and mood disturbance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was evaluating the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on pain, QoL, depression, anxiety and affectivity in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial included 30 patients with chronic pain undergoing HD. Participants were allocated to Active tDCS and Sham tDCS and received ten non-consecutive sessions of anodal motor cortex stimulation (M1/Sp2 montage) at 2 mA intensity for 20 min. The primary outcome was pain assessed using numeric rating scale (NRS) and collected at baseline, immediately after the 10th day of intervention, one week, two weeks, and four weeks after the last stimulation. Secondary outcomes included QoL, depression, anxiety and affectivity collected before and after intervention. RESULTS: A mixed ANOVA model showed significant interaction between group and time on pain F(4.112) = 3.106, P = 0.01 with main effects of group (P = 0.03). Before and after intervention, a significant improvement was observed in QoL (P = 0.009), general health (P = 0.03), fatigue (P = 0.05), symptoms (P = 0.05) depression (P = 0.01) and anxiety (P = 0.01). No difference was found for affectivity. CONCLUSION: Anodal tDCS over the motor cortex emerges as a potential therapeutic approach for improving pain, QoL, and mood in patients with ESRD.

Ten sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation for chronic chikungunya arthralgia: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The chikungunya virus infection is still an epidemic in Brazil with an incidence of 59.4 cases per 100 000 in the Northeast region. More than 60% of the patients present relapsing and remitting chronic arthralgia with debilitating pain lasting for years. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) appears promising as a novel neuromodulation approach for pain-related networks to alleviate pain in several pain syndromes. Our objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS (C3/Fp2 montage) on pain, muscle strength, functionality and quality of life in chronic arthralgia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol is a single-centre, parallel-design, double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial. Forty participants will be randomised to either an active or sham tDCS. A total of 10 sessions will be administered over 2 weeks (one per weekday) using a monophasic continuous current with an intensity of 2 mA for 20 min. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, after the 10th session, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after intervention. PRIMARY OUTCOME: pain assessed using numeric rating scale and algometry. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: muscle strength, functionality and quality of life. The effects of stimulation will be calculated using a mixed analysis of variance model. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairí, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (No. 2.413.851) and registered on the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials. Study results will be disseminated through presentations at conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR-469yd6.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation associated with an aerobic exercise bout on blood pressure and autonomic modulation of hypertensive patients: A pilot randomized clinical trial.

The objective of this article was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic exercise bout associated with a single session of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left temporal lobe on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in hypertensive people. After met the inclusion criteria, twenty hypertensive people were randomized to active-tDCS or sham-tDCS group. Initially, they provided their sociodemographic data, a blood sample, and went through an evaluation of the cardiorespiratory performance. Then, a single session of tDCS with an intensity of 2 mA over the left lobe during 20 min was carried out. After tDCS, it was performed a session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during 40 min. BP during 24 h and HRV measurements were performed before (baseline) and after the intervention. Systolic BP during sleep time decreased in the active-tDCS group (p = 0.008). Diastolic BP showed a significant decrease 3 h after the intervention in the active-tDCS group (p = 0.01). An intragroup comparison showed a significant decrease in systolic BP 3 h after intervention only for the active-tDCS group (p = 0.04). Besides, there was a trend toward a difference in wake for diastolic BP for active-tDCS (p = 0.07). Lastly, there were no changes in the HRV for both groups. It is suggested that anodal tDCS associated with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can decrease systolic and diastolic BP of hypertensive people during sleep time and 3 h after the intervention.

Alternate sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) reduce chronic pain in women affected by chikungunya. A randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT: Thousands of people worldwide have been infected by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and the persistence of joint pain symptoms has been considered the main problem. Neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) act on brain areas involved in the processing of chronic pain. It was previously demonstrated that tDCS for five consecutive days significantly reduced pain in the chronic phase of chikungunya (CHIK). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of alternate tDCS sessions on pain and functional capacity in individuals affected by CHIK. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, 58 women in the chronic phase of CHIK were divided into two groups: active-tDCS (M1-S0, 2 mA, 20 min) and sham-tDCS. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) were used to assess pain, while the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) assessed functional capacity. These scales were used before and after six sessions of tDCS in nonconsecutive days on the primary motor cortex, and at follow-up consultation 7 and 15 days after the last session. A repeated measures mixed-model ANOVA was used for comparison between groups (significant p-values < 0.05). RESULTS: A significant pain reduction (Z [3, 171] = 14.303; p < 0.0001) was observed in the tDCS group compared to the sham group; no significant difference in functional capacity was observed (Z [1.57] = 2.797; p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that six nonconsecutive sessions of active tDCS on M1 reduce pain in chronic CHIKV arthralgia.

Transcranial direct current electrical stimulation for the treatment of interstitial cystitis: A study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is a chronic disorder that presents an unknown etiology, with no generally accepted treatment. Although there is no gold standard treatment, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown efficacy in several chronic pain syndromes with decrease in pain, and improved functionality and mood. tDCS could be a safe, ease to use, and low-cost complementary intervention for patients with interstitial cystitis. AIM: This study will investigate the effects of a tDCS protocol on pain, functionality, and mood in patients with interstitial cystitis. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial with two arms. Women will be randomized into two groups: active or sham. Anodal tDCS over the primary motor cortex will be performed for 5 consecutive days with an intensity of 2 mA for 20 min. Participants will be evaluated five times: 1 week before intervention; on the 5th day of tDCS; and 1, 6, and 12 months after the last day of tDCS. The outcomes will be assessed using the numeric rating scale, McGill pain questionnaire, positive and negative affect scale, international consultation on incontinence questionnaire for female lower urinary tract symptoms, Hamilton anxiety scale, six-minute walk test, patient global impression of change, and voiding diary. DISCUSSION: Only the active group will be expected to show decreased pain. The results of this trial will be the first step in the use of neuromodulation in interstitial cystitis and will provide additional data to support new studies with tDCS.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Parkinson's Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Clinical impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) alone for Parkinson's disease (PD) is still a challenge. Thus, there is a need to synthesize available results, analyze methodologically and statistically, and provide evidence to guide tDCS in PD. Objective: Investigate isolated tDCS effect in different brain areas and number of stimulated targets on PD motor symptoms. Methods: A systematic review was carried out up to February 2021, in databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of science. Full text articles evaluating effect of active tDCS (anodic or cathodic) vs. sham or control on motor symptoms of PD were included. Results: Ten studies (n = 236) were included in meta-analysis and 25 studies (n = 405) in qualitative synthesis. The most frequently stimulated targets were dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex. No significant effect was found among single targets on motor outcomes: Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III - motor aspects (MD = -0.98%, 95% CI = -10.03 to 8.07, p = 0.83, I 2 = 0%), UPDRS IV - dyskinesias (MD = -0.89%, CI 95% = -3.82 to 2.03, p = 0.55, I 2 = 0%) and motor fluctuations (MD = -0.67%, CI 95% = -2.45 to 1.11, p = 0.46, I 2 = 0%), timed up and go - gait (MD = 0.14%, CI 95% = -0.72 to 0.99, p = 0.75, I 2 = 0%), Berg Balance Scale - balance (MD = 0.73%, CI 95% = -1.01 to 2.47, p = 0.41, I 2 = 0%). There was no significant effect of single vs. multiple targets in: UPDRS III - motor aspects (MD = 2.05%, CI 95% = -1.96 to 6.06, p = 0.32, I 2 = 0%) and gait (SMD = -0.05%, 95% CI = -0.28 to 0.17, p = 0.64, I 2 = 0%). Simple univariate meta-regression analysis between treatment dosage and effect size revealed that number of sessions (estimate = -1.7, SE = 1.51, z-score = -1.18, p = 0.2, IC = -4.75 to 1.17) and cumulative time (estimate = -0.07, SE = 0.07, z-score = -0.99, p = 0.31, IC = -0.21 to 0.07) had no significant association. Conclusion: There was no significant tDCS alone short-term effect on motor function, balance, gait, dyskinesias or motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease, regardless of brain area or targets stimulated.