scholarly journals Mindfulness augmentation for anxiety through concurrent use of transcranial direct current stimulation: a randomized double-blind study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiichiro Nishida ◽  
Yosuke Morishima ◽  
Roberto D. Pascual-Marqui ◽  
Shota Minami ◽  
Tomonari Yamane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Concurrent Use ◽  
Stimulation Group

AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have revealed the capability to augment various types of behavioural interventions. We aimed to augment the effects of mindfulness, suggested for reducing anxiety, with concurrent use of tDCS. We conducted a double-blind randomized study with 58 healthy individuals. We introduced treadmill walking for focused meditation and active or sham tDCS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 20 min. We evaluated outcomes using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety (STAI) before the intervention as well as immediately, 60 min, and 1 week after the intervention, and current density from electroencephalograms (EEG) before and after the intervention. The linear mixed-effect models demonstrated that STAI-state anxiety showed a significant interaction effect between 1 week after the intervention and tDCS groups. As for alpha-band EEG activity, the current density in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) was significantly reduced in the active compared with the sham stimulation group, and a significant correlation was seen between changes in STAI-trait anxiety and the current density of the rACC in the active stimulation group. Our study provided that despite this being a one-shot and short intervention, the reduction in anxiety lasts for one week, and EEG could potentially help predict its anxiolytic effect.

scholarly journals Transcranial direct current stimulation for nonspecific low back pain: double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Rezasoltani ◽  
Sirous Azizi ◽  
Sharif Najafi ◽  
Samaneh Sedighi ◽  
Maysam Elahi Movahed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Change In Mean ◽  
Stimulation Group

Introduction: Low back pain is recognized as a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Between 70 and 80% of adults experience at least one occasion of low back pain with duration of 3 months or longer in their lifetime. Aside from the classic treatment methods, there are other new techniques yet to be clinically investigated. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been reported to alleviate pain by affecting the central nervous system. To date only a small number of studies have been published on the effects of tDCS on chronic low back pain. Some of these were pilot studies and others were low-powered in terms of their inference. Therefore the clinical application of tDCS requires further careful evaluation. Objective: To assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation for treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain. Materials and methods: We carried out a double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial in a University Hospital. In total 70 people (15 women) with low back pain were randomized to either active or sham stimulation. The primary outcome was intensity of low back pain on the Visual Analog Scale. We also used the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire to evaluate the effects of back pain on daily activities. For the active stimulation group we administered 2 mA tDCS, 20 minutes for each session, once daily, 5 days per week for 2 weeks, totaling 10 sessions. For the sham stimulation group a similar program was followed with no stimulation. Both groups used analgesic medication. Results: Within-group analysis showed that an initial decrease in pain intensity was significant in both groups (both p < 0.001). However, pain reduction became stable only in the active treatment group. There was a significant difference in the pattern of change in mean pain scores in favor of tDCS (p < 0.001). Active treatment also significantly reduced disability scores (all p values < 0.001), whereas participants in the sham treatment group did not experience functional recovery. Mixed ANOVA indicated that the pattern of change in mean scores of disability differed between the two groups throughout the study course, in favor of active stimulation (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Transcranial direct current stimulation is an effective and safe initial treatment for chronic nonspecific low back pain, and the benefits remain for at least several months.

scholarly journals Exploring the neural, behavioural, and clinical effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with a Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness; protocol for a double-blind randomised crossover feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davinia Fernández-Espejo ◽  
Davide Aloi ◽  
Antonio Incisa della Rocchetta ◽  
Damon Hoad ◽  
Richard Greenwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Disorder Of Consciousness ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Abstract Background: Therapeutic options for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) are very limited, and patients often show little to no progress over time. It is widely recognized that some PDOC patients retain a higher level of cognition that may be apparent on the basis of their external responses, and simply are unable to produce purposeful motor behaviours. This dissociation has been linked to specific impairments in the motor network that lead to a reduction in thalamo-cortical coupling. Here, we will assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate thalamo-cortical coupling and improve patients’ responsiveness. We will focus on characterising the mechanisms of action of tDCS and the bases for potential individual differences in responsiveness to the stimulation across participants.Methods: This is a multi-centre double-blind randomised crossover feasibility study. It is divided into two streams: (a) MRI stream: 5 PDOC patients will complete 5 anodal, cathodal, and sham stimulation sessions (paired with passive mobilisation of the thumb) in separate weeks. We will measure brain activity and connectivity with functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography (EEG). We will look at brain structures to assess differences associated with responsiveness. (b) Bedside stream: 10 patients will complete one session of anodal or cathodal stimulation and one session of sham. We will measure brain activity and connectivity with EEG and we will conduct follow up assessments at 3 and 6 months. In both streams we will also look at changes in the clinical profile of patients with the Coma Recovery Scale Revised and in command following behaviour with electromyography and motion tracking. We will assess feasibility on measures of eligibility, recruitment, retention, and completion of tests.Discussion: This feasibility study is the first step towards developing personalised tDCS interventions to restore external responsiveness in PDOC patients. Our results will inform the design of a future trial fully powered for characterising neural, behavioural, and clinical effects of tDCS in PDOC as well as the mechanisms underlying individual differences in responsiveness.

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