Enhancing Acupuncture Treatment Effect Through Non-invasive Neuromodulation

Description

In this study, investigators will examine the brain mechanism behind the synergistic effects of combining acupuncture and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatments. Specifically, chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients will be recruited and randomized to one of four groups (30 per group, one month of treatment): 1) verum acupuncture + real tDCS, 2) sham acupuncture + real tDCS, 3) verum acupuncture + sham tDCS, and 4) sham acupuncture + sham tDCS. Investigators will study 1) the longitudinal (one-month) effects of different treatments as indicated by changes in resting state functional connectivity (rsFC), cerebral blood flow (CBF), clinical outcomes of low back pain, and quantitative sensory test (QST) and 2) the association between these changes.

Conditions

Chronic Pain

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

In this study, investigators will examine the brain mechanism behind the synergistic effects of combining acupuncture and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatments. Specifically, chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients will be recruited and randomized to one of four groups (30 per group, one month of treatment): 1) verum acupuncture + real tDCS, 2) sham acupuncture + real tDCS, 3) verum acupuncture + sham tDCS, and 4) sham acupuncture + sham tDCS. Investigators will study 1) the longitudinal (one-month) effects of different treatments as indicated by changes in resting state functional connectivity (rsFC), cerebral blood flow (CBF), clinical outcomes of low back pain, and quantitative sensory test (QST) and 2) the association between these changes.

Enhancing Acupuncture Treatment Effect Through Non-invasive Neuromodulation

Enhancing Acupuncture Treatment Effect Through Non-invasive Neuromodulation

Condition
Chronic Pain
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Charlestown

Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States, 02129-2020

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * volunteers 18-60 years of age
  • * meet the classification criteria of chronic low back pain (having low back pain for more than 6 months), as determined by the referring physician
  • * at least 4/10 clinical pain on the 11-point Low Back Pain Numeric Rating Scale (LBP NRS)
  • * at least a 10th grade English-reading level; English can be a second language provided that the patients understand all questions used in the assessment measures
  • * history of epilepsy or loss consciousness (LOC)
  • * specific causes of back pain (e.g. cancer, fractures, spinal stenosis, infections)
  • * complicated back problems (e.g. prior back surgery, medicolegal issues)
  • * the intent to undergo surgery during the time of involvement in the study
  • * history of cardiac, respiratory, or nervous system disease that, in the investigator's judgment, precludes participation in the study because of a heightened potential for adverse outcomes. For example: asthma or claustrophobia
  • * presence of any contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. For example: cardiac pacemaker, metal implants, claustrophobia, pregnancy, inability to remain still in MRI scanner
  • * history of medical or psychiatric illness as determined by the investigator
  • * history of substance abuse or dependence

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Massachusetts General Hospital,

Study Record Dates

2024-03-31