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- Rahin, Hedayat, et al.
(author)
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Effect of Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation in Patients with Painful Polyneuropathy and Influence of Possible Predictors of Efficacy including BDNF Polymorphism: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Crossover Study
- 2023
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In: Brain Sciences. - : MDPI. - 2076-3425. ; 13:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The neuromodulating effects of transcutaneous-spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) have been reported to block pain signaling. For patients with chronic pain, tsDCS could be a potential treatment option. To approach this, we studied the effect of anodal tsDCS on patients with neuropathic pain approaching an optimal paradigm including the investigation of different outcome predictors. Methods: In this randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled crossover study we recruited twenty patients with neurophysiologically evaluated neuropathic pain due to polyneuropathy (PNP). Variables (VAS; pain and sleep quality) were reported daily, one week prior to, and one week after the stimulation/sham period. Anodal tsDCS (2.5 mA, 20 min) was given once daily for three days during one week. BDNF-polymorphism, pharmacological treatment, and body mass index (BMI) of all the patients were investigated. Results: Comparing the effects of sham and real stimulation at the group level, there was a tendency towards reduced pain, but no significant effects were found. However, for sleep quality a significant improvement was seen. At the individual level, 30 and 35% of the subjects had a clinically significant improvement of pain level and sleep quality, respectively, the first day after the stimulation. Both effects were reduced over the coming week and these changes were negatively correlated. The BDNF polymorphism Val66Met was carried by 35% of the patients and this group was found to have a lower general level of pain but there was no significant difference in the tsDCS response effect. Neither pharmacologic treatment or BMI influenced the treatment effect. Conclusions: Short-term and sparse anodal thoracic tsDCS reduces pain and improves sleep with large inter-individual differences. Roughly 30% will benefit in a clinically meaningful way. The BDNF genotype seems to influence the level of pain that PNP produces. Individualized and intensified tsDCS may be a treatment option for neuropathic pain due to PNP.
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| 2. |
- Thordstein, Magnus, et al.
(author)
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Effect of transspinal direct current stimulation on afferent pain signalling in humans
- 2020
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In: Journal of clinical neuroscience. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0967-5868 .- 1532-2653. ; 77, s. 163-167
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Anodal transspinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) has been suggested as a means to treat neuropathic pain by reducing pain signalling/processing and Laser Evoked Potentials (LEPs) likewise as a method to evaluate such reduction. However, results in previous studies are disagreeing. To evaluate these claims using rigorous methodology, LEPs were evoked from hands and feet in healthy volunteers. The N2 potential and three psychophysic parameters (general- and pinprick pain, warmth) were used to evaluate the signalling and appreciation of pain respectively. This was made at three time points; at baseline, directly- and 30 min after low thoracic tsDCS (20 min, 2.5 mA, cathode on shoulder). The study was randomized, cross over, double blinded and placebo controlled. At the group level low thoracic anodal tsDCS produced reduced perceptions of all three tested pain qualities from the foot (p < 0.05 - p < 0.001). These reductions began during stimulation and became more pronounced during the 30 min after its cessation (p < 0.05 - p < 0.01). The LEP parameter alteration mirroring these changes was latency prolongation (p < 0.05 - p < 0.001) whereas amplitude reductions were in par with placebo stimulation. Similar but less pronounced and only transient (during stimulation, p < 0.05 - p < 0.001) changes, were seen for hand stimulation. The interindividual variation was large. The findings indicate that anodal tsDCS may become a technique to treat neuropathic pain by reducing pain signalling/processing and LEPs likewise a method to evaluate such reduction. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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