Effect of one session of tDCS on the severity of pain in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Abstract

AIM\nThe present study aimed to investigate the effects of tDCS on pain score in women with Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP).\n\n\nMATERIALS & METHODS\nA total of 16 women with CPP participated in the present double-blind sham-controlled cross-over study. Each participant received a 20-min 0.3\u202fMA of trans Cranial Direct Stimulation (tDCS) with a current density of 0.1\u202fmA/cm2. In addition to the pain intensity, the Quality of Life (QOL), disability, and depression statuses were assessed prior to and one week after the treatment. Shapiro-Wilks goodness-of-fit test for normality, dependent t-Test, and Wilcoxon Signed- Rank Test were used for data analysis. Values of p\u202f<\u202f.05 were considered statistically significant.\n\n\nFINDINGS\nActive tDCS treatment was effective in the reduction of pain (p\u202f=\u202f.0001), improving QOL (208.938\u202f>\u202f193.313, P\u202f=\u202f.025), and the disability (22.375\u202f<\u202f30.375, P\u202f=\u202f.025). The results showed no effect of active or sham treatment on the depression (p\u202f≥\u202f.05).\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe positive effects of active tDCS on CPP suggest the need to study the effect of this method on other types of chronic pain.