Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with exercise therapy for chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic low-back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability, with current treatments offering only modest benefits. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) may enhance exercise therapy by modulating cortical excitability and pain-inhibitory pathways. This systematic review and meta-analysis quantified the additive effect of combining tDCS with structured exercise in adults with CLBP.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CENTRAL, Embase, and CNKI up to 25 September 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing active tDCS plus identical exercise therapy vs. sham tDCS plus the same exercise in adults with CLBP (≥ 12 weeks) were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and standardized mean diffe

SUBMITTER: Xia R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12857311 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature