Neuromodulatory Effects of Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation in Fibromyalgia

Neuromodulatory Effects of Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Clinical Trial, Double-blinded, Controlled With Sham

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a functional syndrome characterized by musculoskeletal, diffuse and persistent (> 3 months) chronic pain, that is also characterized by sleep disturbances, fatigue, humor changes and cognitive and psychological changes. Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) is a new Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) that has been studied as a treatment option for chronic pain and neurological conditions . Studies have shown that tPCS is capable of pain and cognitive modulation; however, there are not enough studies with evidenceofits efficacy.Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of tPCS in pain, evaluated through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in FM patients; besides that, it is aimed to evaluate the effects of tPCS on quality of life, cognitive impairments, pain pressure threshold, descending inhibitory system of pain, and serum levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and S100 Calcium-Binding Protein B (S100B). A randomized, double-blinded, controlled with sham clinical trial will be conducted with 70 (Critical f: 2.003; ES: 0.76; alpha: 0.05; power: 0.80) women with Fibromyalgia, from 30 to 65 years with pain on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) higher than 6 in the last 3 months. All patients will read and sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF). Each patient will be randomized to either 1+4 sessions of tPCS (2mA, 6-10Hz, 1-20ms, 20-25 minutes) or Sham. Patients will complete the following questionnaires/tests: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Profile of Chronic Pain (PCP), Conditioned Pain Modulation Task (CPM-T), Pain Pressure Threshold Task (PPT-T), ReyAuditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) and blood collection for serum levels of BDNF and S100B. For the main outcome, comparison between variables during time will be made through linear regression, with an adjustment for baseline levels and possible confounders.

Recruitment: The study will be held in a clinical center at Novo Hamburgo (RS) -Brazil.Data collection will begin in December 2021, and it will end when sample size is achieved. A targeted approach will be used: recruiting referrals from clinics in the region of the study setting, along with patients from the clinical center where the trial will be conducted. Besides that, posters will be placed in common areas and posted on social media. Inclusion Criteria: women from 30 to 65 years old; FM diagnosis according to ACR criteria (2016); pain on VAS equal to or higher than 6 in the last 3 months; chronic stable treatment over the past 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy or lack of contraceptive use; history of alcohol or drug abuse in the last 6 months, neurological disorders, cardiac arrhythmia; use of drugs that change vascular response; history of head trauma, mild or severe, neurosurgery; decompensated systemic diseases; current diagnosis or history of cancer.

tPCSThe procedure will begin with placement of bilateral circular electrodes in the inferior ear lobe (ECG position A1) fixed by an ear clip. The electrode's radius will be approximately 0.785cm2. Current has a peak pulse amplitude of 2mA, with a frequency range from 6 to 10 Hz. A battery-powered current stimulator will be used. This device provides stimulation through biphasic and alternating square wave pulse, with random pulse width range from 1 to 20 ms. tPCS sessions will last 20 minutes plus 5 minutes for setting up, meanwhile when questionnaires and tests are applied, sessions can last 1 to 2 hours. Sessions will be made in a 1+4 way, in which outcomes will be evaluated before and after the first session and after the last session. Studies display evidence of clinical improvement after 5 sessions of transcranial electrical stimulation in FM. A standardized questionnaire will be performed in order to observe adverse effects immediately after the intervention.Sham tPCSThe current will only be applied for the first 30 seconds. Patients may notice the same sensation of initial stimulation but will not receive the current for the remaining time. Analogue to tPCS, 5 sessions will be performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women from 30 to 65 years old
• FM diagnosis according to ACR criteria (2016)
• Pain on VAS equal to or higher than 6 in the last 3 months
• Chronic stable treatment over the past 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or lack of contraceptive use;
• History of alcohol or drug abuse in the last 6 months,
• Neurological disorders;
• Cardiac arrhythmia;
• Use of drugs that change vascular response;
• History of head trauma, mild or severe;
• History of neurosurgery;
• Decompensated systemic diseases;
• Current diagnosis or history of cancer