Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation vs Placebo for Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Previous trials with smaller samples and shorter follow-up periods showed that multiple-session home-based anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (A-tDCS) on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improved fibromyalgia symptoms. However, the duration of the effect, the influence of exercise and pain neuroscience education (PNE), and the role of placebo remain unclear.

Objective

To evaluate whether A-tDCS targeting the left DLPFC, combined with exercise and PNE, is more effective than sham tDCS in reducing pain and disability, based on placebo-test responses (responders vs nonresponders).

Design, setting, and participants

This double-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial enrolled women aged 18 to 65 years with fibromyalgia. Partic

SUBMITTER: Caumo W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12144624 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature