Study of the Acute Effects of Guided Imagery and tDCS on Pain Levels in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain

A Randomized, Single Blind, Exploratory Study of the Acute Effects of Guided Imagery and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Electroencephalogram (EEG) Alpha Brain Waves and Pain Levels in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain

This is a single blind, randomized, exploratory study of transcranial direct stimulation (tDCS) intervention or sham tDCS administered with a standardized guided imagery intervention for chronic pelvic pain. Transcranial Direct Current Sstimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy. Guided Imagery is a form of hypnosis used to create relaxation.Up to 25 adult women with chronic pelvic pain will be enrolled and randomized (like a flip of a coin). Subjects will remain blinded throughout the study. Subjects will be randomized into one of the following four arms: active tDCS with guided imagery, active tDCS alone (without guided imagery), sham tDCS with guided imagery, or sham tDCS alone (without guided imagery).

Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is a common and often debilitating problem among women. CPP is pain that is felt below the belly button and is severe enough to cause feelings of pressure, pain while sitting or standing for long periods of time, pain with intercourse, painful urination, and pain with bowel movements. Transcranial Direct Current Simulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique. As tDCS modulates nerve activity and connectivity, it is also expected to cause measurable changes in brain activity. Guided imagery is a form of hypnosis using words to direct one's thoughts and attention to imagined sensations. Guided imagery has demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain related to many conditions including cancer pain, chronic lower back pain, and post-operative pain. More information is needed to evaluate the effects of tDCS and guided imagery in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain.

The study will consist of one visit. After informed consent is obtained, the following will be collected/completed: health history, demographics, vitals, and questionnaires (BDI, CAGE-AID, PCS, and VAS for pelvic pain). A urinalysis will be collected to assess for infection and a urine pregnancy test for women of child bearing potential. If a subject qualifies they will be randomized. Before treatment, subjects complete an EEG. Treatment will be delivered based on randomization group assignment. After treatment an EEG, VAS, GRA will be collected. Study staff will assess for adverse events during and after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female
• Age 18 to 64 years
• Women must either be unable to become pregnant (surgically sterile or postmenopausal) or must use an approved method of birth control throughout the study period.
• Self-reported CPP defined as pelvic pain that is not related to menstrual cycle and of at lease 6 months duration and refractory to other treatments.
• Subject agrees to not start any new treatments (medication or otherwise) throughout the study participation.
• Subject agrees to maintain stable doses of all current medications throughout study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of seizures during the last 2 years or diagnosis of epilepsy
• Pacemaker
• Use of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, pramipexole or cabergoline within the past 6 months as self-reported
• Parkinson's Disease
• Any condition, including neurological or psychiatric illness, which per investigators' judgment, may increase subject risk
• History of Hunner's lesions
• Lactation, pregnancy, or refusal to use medically approved/reliable birth control in women of child-bearing potential
• Sacral or pudendal Interstim or spinal cord stimulator that is "on"
• Contraindications to tDCS stimulation (e.g. metal in the head, implanted brain medical devices, scalp wounds or infections, etc.)
• History of head injury resulting in more than a momentary loss of consciousness during the last 2 years

Deferral Criteria

1. If a subject has a confirmed UTI, she will be deferred until treatment is completed and symptoms resolve
2. Participating in another intervention study, or received an investigational drug or device within 4 weeks prior to screening
3. Subject received bladder hydrodistention within the past 12 weeks
4. Within the past 4 weeks, initiation of any new medications or any intravesical treatment for treatment of IC/BPS
5. Within the past 24 weeks received any surgery or procedure which may impact the pelvic floor

Note: For the sake of preserving scientific integrity, one or more of the eligibility criteria have been left off the list posted while the trial is ongoing. A full list of eligibility criteria will be posted upon completion of the trial.