Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with acupuncture therapy on brain network functional connectivity in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a single-center randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In this study, we investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with acupuncture therapy on pain, dysfunction and functional connectivity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to evaluate its potential therapeutic value.

Method

In this single-center, randomized controlled trial, patients were recruited from May 2023 to August 2024 from the Departments of Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, and Pain Management at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups, including the acupuncture group, the tDCS group, and the combined acupuncture and tDCS group. All treatments were administered five times a week for two weeks. The condition of the patients was evaluated by

SUBMITTER: Nie Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12257676 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature