A randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled, 2×2 factorial trial of aerobic vs. non-aerobic exercise and motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation in fibromyalgia: effects on clinical outcomes and descending pain modulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Exercise is first-line therapy for fibromyalgia, but the superiority of aerobic vs. non-aerobic modalities is uncertain. Motor-cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may enhance descending pain inhibition. We tested the effects of exercise modality and tDCS on conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Double-blind, randomised 2 × 2 factorial trial in Boston, USA (2019-2024; allocation 1:1:1:1). Adults with fibromyalgia were assigned to aerobic + active tDCS, aerobic + sham, non-aerobic + active, or non-aerobic + sham. Participants completed 16 in-person sessions over 4 weeks, combining concurrent tDCS and exercise. The non-aerobic condition involved light treadmill walking matched for duration but below aerobic threshold (<40%

SUBMITTER: Fregni F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12765446 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature