Publication: Transcranial direct current stimulation for spinal cord injury-associated neuropathic pain
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Issued Date
2021-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
20930569
20059159
20059159
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85104961620
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Korean Journal of Pain. Vol.34, No.2 (2021), 156-164
Suggested Citation
Caixia Li, Sukunya Jirachaipitak, Paul Wrigley, Hua Xu, Pramote Euasobhon Transcranial direct current stimulation for spinal cord injury-associated neuropathic pain. Korean Journal of Pain. Vol.34, No.2 (2021), 156-164. doi:10.3344/KJP.2021.34.2.156 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/78761
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Title
Transcranial direct current stimulation for spinal cord injury-associated neuropathic pain
Abstract
Several types of pain occur following spinal cord injury (SCI); however, neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most intractable. Invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have been studied in clinical trials to treat chronic NP following SCI. The evidence for invasive stimulation including motor cortex and deep brain stimulation via the use of implanted electrodes to reduce SCI-related NP remains limited, due to the small scale of existing studies. The lower risk of complications associated with non-invasive stimulation, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), provide potentially attractive alternative central neuromodulation techniques. Compared to rTMS, tDCS is technically easier to apply, more affordable, available, and potentially feasible for home use. Accordingly, several new studies have investigated the efficacy of tDCS to treat NP after SCI. In this review, articles relating to the mechanisms, clinical efficacy and safety of tDCS on SCI-related NP were searched from inception to December 2019. Six clinical trials, including five randomized placebo-controlled trials and one prospective controlled trial, were included for evidence specific to the efficacy of tDCS for treating SCI-related NP. The mechanisms of action of tDCS are complex and not fully understood. Several factors including stimulation parameters and individual patient characteristics may affect the efficacy of tDCS intervention. Current evidence to support the efficacy of utilizing tDCS for relieving chronic NP after SCI remains limited. Further strong evidence is needed to confirm the efficacy of tDCS intervention for treating SCI-related NP.