One of the major challenges faced by researchers working in the field of rehabilitation science is the ability to provide integrative approaches to the use of clinical practice. In this context it becomes increasingly necessary to construct investigative approaches, so that they can reach clinical practice in a shorter period of time,since the large volume of information produced globally does not impact in the short or medium term on new therapeutic recommendations. Among the various chronic painful entities, there is chikungunya fever as a highlight for having a rich clinical chronology in relation to pain. Its therapy is used done by drugs in almost all national and international consensuses, therefore therapy against pain in chikungunya fever is limited during the rehabilitation process. It is very important that the science of rehabilitation enhances methods of noninvasive brain modulation that enable, through the excitation or inhibition of specific cortical areas to produce pain inhibiting effects, providing a simple and low cost treatment to the clinical routine.Technological advances and non-invasive techniques to modulate brain function have been developed, for instance, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The objective of the present project is to present the tDCS as a new modality of physical rehabilitation for the patient with chronic pain resulting from chikungunya fever. The purpose of the study is to present physical, behavioral and social results of the application of tDCS in chikungunya fever, suggesting an improvement in the quality of life and functional status of the individual.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
20
For electrode placement, the criteria used by the 10/20 electroencephalography system will be obeyed and the electrodes will be positioned area C3 for the anode and Fp2 (contralateral supraorbital area) for the cathode electrode. A constant current of 2mA will be applied for 20 minutes.
For electrode placement, the criteria used by the 10/20 electroencephalography system will be obeyed and the electrodes will be positioned area C3 for the anode and Fp2 (contralateral supraorbital area) for the cathode electrode, but the stimulator was turned off after 30 seconds of stimulation. Therefore, patients in the sham group felt the initial itching sensation but received no current for the rest of the stimulation period.
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Change from baseline Pain at 3 weeks
Diary of pain
Time frame: Every day during 3 weeks (before treatment, during treatment and one week after treatment).
Change from baseline Pain at 3 weeks
Visual analogue scale.
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Pain at 3 weeks
Diagnosing Neuropathic Pain - DN4 Questionnaire
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Pain at 3 weeks
McGill Pain Questionnaire short brazilian version (Br- MPQ)
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Pain at 3 weeks
Brief Pain Inventory (Short Form).
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Quality of Life at 3 weeks
Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36).
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Flexibility at 3 weeks
Sit and Reach Flexibility Test.
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Flexibility at 3 weeks
Back Scratch Test.
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Strength at 3 weeks
The 30-Second Chair Stand Test.
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Strength at 3 weeks
Elbow flexion strength test
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
Change from baseline Strength at 3 weeks
Manual Muscle Testing (Hand Dynamometer)
Time frame: baseline (one week before starting stimulation), one week after baseline (after first stimulation), eleven days after baseline (after last stimulation) and 3 weeks after baseline.
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