tACS for Chronic Lower Back Pain
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a new treatment called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to determine its effectiveness in reducing chronic lower back pain. Participants will receive either the real tACS treatment or a sham version to compare effects. Individuals with lower back pain lasting more than six months and experiencing significant daily pain might be suitable candidates.
As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore a novel treatment option for chronic pain relief.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
Yes, you will need to stop taking regular pain medications like opioids, nonopioid analgesics, and certain other drugs, as well as any psychotropic medications, to participate in this trial.
What prior data suggests that tACS is safe for chronic lower back pain?
Studies have shown that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is generally safe. Research indicates that no serious side effects have been reported with tACS use. Some minor issues, such as skin problems, have been noted, but these are uncommon. So far, patients seem to tolerate tACS well. For those considering joining a trial, this information is reassuring regarding safety.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Most treatments for chronic lower back pain, like physical therapy, medication, and surgery, focus on symptom relief rather than addressing the underlying cause. tACS, or transcranial alternating current stimulation, is unique because it uses non-invasive electrical currents to potentially modulate brain activity linked to pain perception. Researchers are excited about tACS because it represents a novel approach that could provide relief without the side effects associated with medications or the invasiveness of surgery. By targeting the brain's pain processing pathways, tACS might offer a new way to manage chronic pain more effectively.
What evidence suggests that tACS is effective for chronic lower back pain?
Research suggests that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) might help people with chronic pain by affecting brain activity. Some studies have found that tACS can lessen pain by correcting unusual brain wave patterns. In this trial, participants will receive either real tACS or a sham tACS treatment. Although tACS did not outperform sham treatments in fibromyalgia, research on chronic low back pain indicates it might help manage pain. Overall, early results are promising, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.16789
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals who have been experiencing chronic lower back pain for more than six months, with a pain intensity of at least 4 out of 10 on the LBP NRS scale. Participants must be able to read English at a 10th-grade level or higher and meet specific MRI/MEG/EEG screening criteria.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) for low back pain
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- tACS
Trial Overview
The study is examining the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on chronic low back pain by comparing real tACS treatment to sham (placebo) tACS to see if there's any improvement in pain levels.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Collaborator
Citations
Effectiveness of transcranial alternating current stimulation ...
In the study on fibromyalgia, it did not show a better pain-reducing effect of tACS compared with sham stimulation. Two studies on LBP showed ...
Study Details | NCT03243084 | Transcranial Alternating ...
The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of using tACS to treat patients with chronic pain, and to collect pilot efficacy as well as EEG and EKG ...
Effects of TDCS and TENS on chronic low back pain
No superior effects were observed at post-intervention with tDCS + TENS compared to sham tDCS + TENS (P > 0.05), regardless of stimulation site, for pain relief ...
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effect of ...
Conclusions: The tDCS appears to be an effective and safe intervention for reducing pain and enhancing functional outcomes in CLBP patients, ...
5.
frontiersin.org
frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2023.941979/fullPain control based on oscillatory brain activity using ...
Several studies have reported that tACS on a single brain reduces pain by normalizing abnormal oscillatory brain activity in patients with chronic pain.
Adverse events of tDCS and tACS: A review - PubMed Central
No serious adverse effects have been reported in experiments using either tDCS or tACS. Persistent adverse effects of tDCS are mainly skin problems; for tACS, ...
a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
This pilot trial aims to (1) determine the feasibility, safety and perceived patient response to a combined transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and ...
Modulation Effect of tACS on Chronic Low Back Pain
Also called a data safety and monitoring board, or DSMB. ... Modulation Effect of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) on Chronic Low Back Pain.
Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence ...
This review updates and consolidates evidence on the safety of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).
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