Evaluation of the Effectiveness of tDCS in the Management of Perioperative Pain

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of tDCS in the Management of Perioperative Pain

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a new medical technology can help reduce post-operative pain. The new technology is called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the management of postoperative pain. Specifically, this study will determine whether patients undergoing any type of inpatient surgical procedure that routinely requires at least a 1-day inpatient stay post-operatively will report less pain and use less opioid analgesics following a series of 20-minute sessions of tDCS (compared to sham tDCS) delivered up to twice per day post-operatively. In addition to comparing the effects of real tDCS to sham tDCS, the present study will evaluate the interaction of dose (number and frequency of tDCS sessions) and surgery type.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years-75 years of age
• surgery at Medical University of South Carolina
• at least 2 days of post-operative stay

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of seizures or epilepsy
• family history of seizures
• taking any medications shown to lower seizure threshold
• metal implants above the waist
• pregnant
• brain tumors or lesions
• pacemaker