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The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with aerobic exercise in non-specific low back pain patients. The main question aims to answer: • Which are the effects of tDCS treatment combined with aerobic exercise compared to Sham tDCS combined with aerobic exercise in non-specific Low Back Pain? Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires and they will receive treatments as tDCS or Sham tDCS and aerobic exercise (treadmill walking). Researchers will compare a group who is treated with a combination of tDCS and aerobic exercise versus a group receiving placebo tDCS and aerobic exercise to see the effects on pain intensity, pressure pain, disability, kinesiophobia, quality of life, catastrophism, Heart Rate Variability and cortical excitation.
Low back pain (LBP) is the main cause of disability worldwide with a prevalence of 70 to 85% of the population. Chronic LBP (CLBP) is defined as a pain lasting more than 12 weeks. CLBP does not have peripheral nociceptive stimuli, but it is characterized by the presence of a chronic change in neuroplasticity. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a type of therapeutic intervention that can modulate the cortical excitability of a wide neural network involved in the elaboration of pain, resulting in an efficacy option for CLBP treatment. Aerobic exercise represents another typology of effective therapeutic intervention in the treatment of pain intensity and disability related to CLBP.
The main objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of tDCS combined with aerobic exercise compared to shame/placebo tDCS combined with aerobic exercise in middle-aged subjects with non-specific CLBP in the short, medium and long term.
Methods: In a double-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial, 38 subjects aged between 18 and 65 years, with a diagnose of non-specific LBP for 3 months, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) result of >20mm and a Roland-Morris Scale result of >4 will be selected for the following study. Participants will be divided in two groups of 19 subjects each one: experimental group A (20 minutes of tDCS at 2 mili Amper + 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise at 60-80% of HRmax) and controlled group B (30 seconds of sham/placebo tDCS at 2milli amperes + 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise at 60-80% of maximum heart rate). The following outcomes will be measured: pain intensity (100mm VAS), pressure pain (pressure algometer), disability (Roland-Morris questionnaire), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia), quality of life (SF-12 health questionnaire), catastrophism (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), Heart Rate Variability ( Polar Team) and cortical excitation (Critical Flicker Fusion).
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| aerobic exercise | Active Comparator | Walk on a treadmill during 20-30 minutes at 60-80% of Heart Rate max |
|
| Sham tDCS | Sham Comparator | Application of tDCS during 30 seconds of 2 mA-intensity. |
|
| real tDCS | Experimental | Application of real tDCS during 20 minutes at 2 mili Amper (mA)-intensity. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| real tDCS and aerobic exercise | Other | Walking on a treadmill at 60-80% of HRmax while wearing a head tDCS device with therapeutic parameters |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pain intensity | Measured with Visual Analogue Scale of 100 mm | At baseline |
| Pain intensity | Measured with Visual Analogue Scale of 100 mm | At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions). |
| Pain intensity | Measured with Visual Analogue Scale of 100 mm | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Pain intensity | Measured with Visual Analogue Scale of 100 mm | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Pressure pain | Measured with a pressure algometer | At baseline |
| Pressure pain | Measured with a pressure algometer | At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions). |
| Pressure pain | Measured with a pressure algometer | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Pressure pain | Measured with a pressure algometer | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Disability | Measured with Roland-Morris scale Spanish version, minimum and maximum values go from 0 (absence of disability) until 24 (maximum disability) | At baseline |
| Disability | Measured with Roland-Morris scale Spanish version, minimum and maximum values go from 0 (absence of disability) until 24 (maximum disability) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Any subject presenting at least one of the following exclusion criteria will be excluded from the study:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marina Castel- Sánchez, PhD | Contact | 0034-679448994 | marina.castel@universidadeuropea.es | |
| Dolores Sosa- Reina, PhD | Contact | 0034628432666 | mariadolores.sosa@universidadeuropea.es |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Marina Castel Sánchez, PhD | European University of Madrid.Department of Physiotherapy, Chiropody and Dance | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurpean University of Madrid | Recruiting | Villaviciosa de Odón | Madrid | 28670 | Spain |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32647923 | Background | Alwardat M, Pisani A, Etoom M, Carpenedo R, Chine E, Dauri M, Leonardis F, Natoli S. Is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effective for chronic low back pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2020 Sep;127(9):1257-1270. doi: 10.1007/s00702-020-02223-w. Epub 2020 Jul 9. | |
| 34450274 | Background |
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| sham tDCS and aerobic exercise | Other | Walking on a treadmill at 60-80% of HRmax while wearing a head tDCS device with sham tDCS |
|
| At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions). |
| Disability | Measured with Roland-Morris scale Spanish version, minimum and maximum values go from 0 (absence of disability) until 24 (maximum disability) | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Disability | Measured with Roland-Morris scale Spanish version, minimum and maximum values go from 0 (absence of disability) until 24 (maximum disability) | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Kinesiophobia | Measured with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale questionnaire (TSK-11SV) Spanish version. Minimum and maximum values are between 11 and 44 point, a result with higher values indicates higher level of kinesiofobia. | At baseline |
| Kinesiophobia | Measured with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale questionnaire (TSK-11SV) Spanish version. Minimum and maximum values are between 11 and 44 point, a result with higher values indicates higher level of kinesiofobia. | At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions) |
| Kinesiophobia | Measured with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale questionnaire (TSK-11SV) Spanish version. Minimum and maximum values are between 11 and 44 point, a result with higher values indicates higher level of kinesiofobia. | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Kinesiophobia | Measured with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale questionnaire (TSK-11SV) Spanish version. Minimum and maximum values are between 11 and 44 point, a result with higher values indicates higher level of kinesiofobia. | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Quality of life questionnaire | Measured with SF-12 Health Questionnaire Spanish version. A zero score indicates the lowest level of dimension measured by the scale, and 100 indicates the highest level of the measured dimension | Al baseline |
| Quality of life questionnaire | Measured with SF-12 Health Questionnaire Spanish version. A zero score indicates the lowest level of dimension measured by the scale, and 100 indicates the highest level of the measured dimension | At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions) |
| Quality of life questionnaire | Measured with SF-12 Health Questionnaire Spanish version. A zero score indicates the lowest level of dimension measured by the scale, and 100 indicates the highest level of the measured dimension | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Quality of life questionnaire | Measured with SF-12 Health Questionnaire Spanish version. A zero score indicates the lowest level of dimension measured by the scale, and 100 indicates the highest level of the measured dimension | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Catastrophism | Measured with Pain Catastrophism Scale Spanish version. The total score ranges from 0 to 52. Higher scores reflect higher levels of catastrophic thinking. | At baseline |
| Catastrophism | Measured with Pain Catastrophism Scale Spanish version. The total score ranges from 0 to 52. Higher scores reflect higher levels of catastrophic thinking. | At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions) |
| Catastrophism | Measured with Pain Catastrophism Scale Spanish version. The total score ranges from 0 to 52. Higher scores reflect higher levels of catastrophic thinking. | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Catastrophism | Measured with Pain Catastrophism Scale Spanish version. The total score ranges from 0 to 52. Higher scores reflect higher levels of catastrophic thinking. | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Cortical excitation | Measured with Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold | At baseline |
| Cortical excitation | Measured with Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold | At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions) |
| Cortical excitation | Measured with Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Cortical excitation | Measured with Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Heart Rate Variability | Measured with Polar Heart Rate belt | At baseline |
| Heart Rate Variability | Measured with Polar Heart Rate belt | At the first month after intervention onset (after completion of the 12 treatment sessions) |
| Heart Rate Variability | Measured with Polar Heart Rate belt | Follow-up at the third month after treatment completion |
| Heart Rate Variability | Measured with Polar Heart Rate belt | Follow-up at the sixth month after treatment completion |
| Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón | Recruiting | Alcorcón | Spain |
|
| Wong CK, Mak RY, Kwok TS, Tsang JS, Leung MY, Funabashi M, Macedo LG, Dennett L, Wong AY. Prevalence, Incidence, and Factors Associated With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Older: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2022 Apr;23(4):509-534. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.07.012. Epub 2021 Aug 24. |
| 32006236 | Background | Pergolizzi JV Jr, LeQuang JA. Rehabilitation for Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review for Managing Pain and Improving Function in Acute and Chronic Conditions. Pain Ther. 2020 Jun;9(1):83-96. doi: 10.1007/s40122-020-00149-5. Epub 2020 Jan 31. |
| 32111675 | Background | Tornero Aguilera JF, Fernandez Elias V, Clemente-Suarez VJ. Autonomic and cortical response of soldiers in different combat scenarios. BMJ Mil Health. 2021 Jun;167(3):172-176. doi: 10.1136/jramc-2019-001285. Epub 2020 Feb 27. |
| 32526017 | Background | Cavalcante PGL, Baptista AF, Cardoso VS, Filgueiras MC, Hasue RH, Joao SMA, Hazime FA. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Therapeutic Exercise in Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2020 Aug 31;100(9):1595-1602. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa105. |
| 28827229 | Background | Ouellette AL, Liston MB, Chang WJ, Walton DM, Wand BM, Schabrun SM. Safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with sensorimotor retraining in chronic low back pain: a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2017 Aug 21;7(8):e013080. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013080. |
| 29952860 | Background | Pinto CB, Teixeira Costa B, Duarte D, Fregni F. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as a Therapeutic Tool for Chronic Pain. J ECT. 2018 Sep;34(3):e36-e50. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000518. |
| 26903788 | Background | DosSantos MF, Ferreira N, Toback RL, Carvalho AC, DaSilva AF. Potential Mechanisms Supporting the Value of Motor Cortex Stimulation to Treat Chronic Pain Syndromes. Front Neurosci. 2016 Feb 11;10:18. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00018. eCollection 2016. |
| 32845195 | Background | Pacheco-Barrios K, Cardenas-Rojas A, Thibaut A, Costa B, Ferreira I, Caumo W, Fregni F. Methods and strategies of tDCS for the treatment of pain: current status and future directions. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2020 Sep;17(9):879-898. doi: 10.1080/17434440.2020.1816168. Epub 2020 Sep 15. |
| 32569082 | Background | Bruehl S, Burns JW, Koltyn K, Gupta R, Buvanendran A, Edwards D, Chont M, Wu YH, Qu'd D, Stone A. Are endogenous opioid mechanisms involved in the effects of aerobic exercise training on chronic low back pain? A randomized controlled trial. Pain. 2020 Dec;161(12):2887-2897. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001969. |
| 25529265 | Background | O'Connor SR, Tully MA, Ryan B, Bleakley CM, Baxter GD, Bradley JM, McDonough SM. Walking exercise for chronic musculoskeletal pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Apr;96(4):724-734.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.12.003. Epub 2014 Dec 19. |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D017116 | Low Back Pain |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001416 | Back Pain |
| D010146 | Pain |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D015444 | Exercise |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009043 | Motor Activity |
| D009068 | Movement |
| D009142 | Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena |
| D055687 | Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena |
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