Modulation of an Experimental Prolonged Pain Model Using High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Modulation of an Experimental Prolonged Pain Model Using High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

The purpose of this double-blinded, parallel group randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on an experimental prolonged pain model in healthy subjects.

The purpose of this double-blinded, parallel group randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on an experimental prolonged pain model in healthy subjects. Forty healthy participants are administered the compound Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the right first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDI), which produced prolonged muscle soreness and hyperalgesia.

The forty participants are randomly allocated to either the control group receiving a Sham-tDCS paradigm, or the intervention group receiving three consecutive days of multimodal HD-tDCS targeting primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) simultaneously.

The somatosensory profile is assessed at baseline, before administration of NGF as well as prior and post each HD-tDCS session using standardised quantitative sensory testing.

It is hypothesised that the active HD-tDCS will modulate the neurological changes induced by the experimental pain condition, which will alleviate the hyperalgesia and hypersensitivity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy men and women.
• Able to speak, read and understand English or Danish.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs
• Current use of opioids, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines
• Previous or current neurological, musculoskeletal, rheumatic, malignant, inflammatory or mental illnesses
• Current or prior chronic pain conditions
• Lack of ability to cooperate