Effects of tDCS in Elderly With Pain Due to Knee Osteoarthritis

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Elderly Subjects With Defective Endogenous Pain-Inhibitory System: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if anodal tDCS stimulation over M1 may decrease chronic knee OA pain in elderly subjects with defective CPM. In addition, this trial will help to investigate the role of central sensitization in knee OA and evaluate how tDCS stimulation may affect it.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals > 60 years old, of both genders.
• Diagnosis of primary knee osteoarthritis with chronic pain self-reported.
• Be able to sign the informed consent to participate in the study.
• Chronic pain (over the past 6 months) of at least 4 on a 0-10 VAS scale on average.
• Reduction on VAS (visual analogic scale) during CPM (conditioned pain modulation) < 10%

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to transcranial brain stimulation, i.e. implanted brain medical devices or implanted brain metallic devices.
• Severe acute or chronic decompensated disease.
• Cognitive and behavioral impairment.
• Epilepsy.
• History of fractures in the lower limbs and/or spine in the last 6 months.
• Use of carbamazepine within the past 6 months as self-reported.
• Severe depression (with a score of >30 in the Beck Depression Inventory)
• History of syncope.
• Traumatic brain injury with residual neurological deficits.
• History of alcohol abuse within the past 6 months as self-reported.