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Efficacy of combining home-based transcranial direct current stimulation with mindfulness-based meditation for pain in older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled pilot study.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
December 1, 2019
Hyochol Ahn et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of home-based tDCS paired with mindfulness-based meditation (MBM) in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Results Summary

Active tDCS paired with MBM significantly reduced clinical pain and OA symptoms, increased pressure pain thresholds, and improved conditioned pain modulation. Participants tolerated the treatment well without serious adverse effects and reported high satisfaction.

Population

Older adults (50-85 years) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Effective Dosage

20 minutes of active MBM paired with 2 mA tDCS, daily for 10 sessions.

Duration

10 days

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
decrease
pain
-
-
has been shown to be effective for reducing
#1
mindfulness-based meditation (MBM)
decrease
pain
-
-
shows the potential analgesic effects
#2
home-based tDCS paired with MBM
decrease
Numeric Rating Scale
older adults with knee OA
-
significantly reduced scores on
#3
home-based tDCS paired with MBM
decrease
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index
older adults with knee OA
-
significantly reduced scores on
#4
home-based tDCS paired with MBM
increase
pressure pain thresholds
older adults with knee OA
-
increased
#5
home-based tDCS paired with MBM
increase
conditioned pain modulation
older adults with knee OA
-
increased
#6
Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to be effective for reducing pain, and a growing body of literature shows the potential analgesic effects of mindfulness-based meditation (MBM). However, few studies have investigated the potential benefits associated with combining tDCS and MBM in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of home-based tDCS paired with MBM in older adults with knee OA. Thirty participants 50-85 years old with symptomatic knee OA were randomly assigned to receive 10 daily sessions of home-based 2 mA tDCS paired with active MBM for 20 min (n = 15) or sham tDCS paired with sham MBM (n = 15). We measured clinical pain and OA symptoms via a Numeric Rating Scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Pressure pain sensitivity and conditioned pain modulation were measured using quantitative sensory testing. Participant satisfaction and side effects were assessed via a questionnaire. Active tDCS paired with active MBM significantly reduced scores on the Numeric Rating Scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and increased pressure pain thresholds and conditioned pain modulation. Participants tolerated tDCS paired with MBM well without serious adverse effects and were satisfied with the treatment. Our findings demonstrate promising clinical efficacy of home-based tDCS paired with MBM for older adults with knee OA.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMeditationMiddle AgedMindfulnessOsteoarthritis, KneePainPain ManagementPilot ProjectsTranscranial Direct Current StimulationTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy80/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations46
Citations/Year7.7
Relative Citation Ratio3.56
NIH Percentile88.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.32
Normalized Score0.81
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