Reducing transcranial direct current stimulation-induced erythema with skin pretreatment: considerations for sham-controlled clinical trials.
Neuromodulation
; 18(4): 261-5, 2015 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25209456
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-induced erythema (skin reddening) has been described as an adverse effect that can harm blinding integrity in sham-controlled designs. To tackle this issue, we investigated whether the use of topical pretreatments could decrease erythema and other adverse effects associated with tDCS. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Thirty healthy volunteers were recruited, and four interventions were applied 30 min prior to tDCS in a Latin squaredesign:
placebo, ketoprofen 2%, hydroxyzine 1%, and lidocaine 5%. TDCS was applied for 30 min (2 mA, anode and cathode over F3 and F4, respectively) in two active sessions with a minimum 1-week interval. The Draize erythema scoring system scale was used to assess erythema intensity; a tDCS questionnaire was used to assess other adverse effects (e.g., tingling, itching, burning sensation, and pain).RESULTS:
We found that ketoprofen (but not hydroxyzine or lidocaine) significantly attenuated tDCS-induced erythema regarding intensity and duration, with a medium effect compared with placebo. Erythema was overall mild, short-lived (lasting 18-24 min after tDCS ending), and more intense under the anode. Subjects with darker skin color also tended to present less intense tDCS-induced erythema. The prevalence of other adverse effects was low and did not differ between dermatological groups.CONCLUSIONS:
Ketoprofen 2% topical pretreatment might be an interesting strategy to reduce tDCS-induced erythema and might be useful for blinding improvement in further sham-controlled tDCS trials.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos
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Cetoprofeno
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Eritema
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Estimulación Transcraneal de Corriente Directa
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Año:
2015
Tipo del documento:
Article