The trial´s main goal is to explore the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment option for persons suffering from orofacial pain. The aim of the trial is to further investigate the efficacy and longevity of tDCS in treating chronic pharmacoresistant orofacial pain. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, two-arm, sham-controlled design will be utilized. Primarily, the analgesic effect's intensity and duration will be assessed. Secondarily, the associated reduction of symptoms of anxiety and depression will be investigated, as well as the impact on the general quality of life. Anodal stimulation (6 sessions in 2 weeks, 2mA, 20 min, cathode over the opposite Fp area) of M1 contralateral to the pain location will be employed. Washout periods of 48-72 hours will be kept between applications to improve neuroplasticity changes' induction, which is estimated to reflect in the effect retention. Eight major evaluation points will be employed in 26 weeks, and a daily numeric rating scale (NRS) self-assessment. The trial will potentially improve the quality of life, reduce the health burden caused by chronic orofacial pain, and provide further data on the use of tDCS in this setting, thus, enabling an additional route to manage the symptoms of pain in the future.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
40
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory method utilizing weak electrical currents to elicit short and long-term central nervous system changes.
The sham was administered using the same tDCS devices as in the active group with a preprogrammed sham protocol of 20 minutes to be virtually indistinguishable from the active stimulation.
Pain Management Centre, General University Hospital in Prague; Charles University in Prague
Prague, Czechia
RECRUITINGThe McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form).
The Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire is a standardized questionnaire assessing pain's sensory and affective dimensions. The types of pain are scaled as to their intensity between 1-4 (a higher value denotes higher intensity), the overall intensity is scaled between 0-5 (a higher value denotes higher intensity), and VAS is used to visualize the notion of pain (evaluated on a scale of 0-10, a higher value denotes higher intensity).
Time frame: The measurement will be established as a baseline prior to the stimulation series. (at T1)
Changes in The McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) at T2.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T2 (after the 6th stimulation, 2 weeks since T1)
Changes in The McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) at T3.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T3 (6 weeks since T1)
Changes in The McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) at T4.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T4 (10 weeks since T1)
Changes in The McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) at T5.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T5 (14 weeks since T1)
Changes in The McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) at T6.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T6 (18 weeks since T1)
Changes in The McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) at T7.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T7 (22 weeks since T1)
Changes in The McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) at T8.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T8 (26 weeks since T1)
The numeric rating scale (NRS) as part of "pain diary"
The numeric rating scale (NRS) is a pain screening tool, commonly used to assess pain severity at that moment in time using a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable.
Time frame: The measurement will be established as a baseline prior to the stimulation series. (at T1)
Changes in the numeric rating scale (NRS) every day of them follow-up period.
The numeric rating scale (NRS) is a pain screening tool, commonly used to assess pain severity at that moment in time using a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable.
Time frame: Measured every day since T1 up until T8. (for 26 weeks in total)
The Margolis Pain Diagram
The Margolis pain diagram weights the extension and distribution of pain, expressed as the percentage of body surface in pain and its location. The tool consists of a dorsal and a ventral drawing of the body. The subjects are asked to shade areas in which they have experienced pain.
Time frame: The measurement will be established as a baseline prior to the stimulation series. (at T1)
Changes in the Margolis Pain Diagram at T2.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T2 (after the 6th stimulation, 2 weeks since T1)
Changes in the Margolis Pain Diagram at T3.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T3 (6 weeks since T1)
Changes in the Margolis Pain Diagram at T4.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T4 (10 weeks since T1)
Changes in the Margolis Pain Diagram at T5.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T5 (14 weeks since T1)
Changes in the Margolis Pain Diagram at T6.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T6 (18 weeks since T1)
Changes in the Margolis Pain Diagram at T7.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T7 (22 weeks since T1)
Changes in the Margolis Pain Diagram at T8.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T8 (26 weeks since T1)
The questionnaire of interference with daily activities
A standardized questionnaire to evaluate the interference of pain with daily activities. Minimum=0 points, maximum=5 points. A higher score generally means more severe interference.
Time frame: The measurement will be established as a baseline prior to the stimulation series. (at T1)
Changes in the questionnaire of interference with daily activities at T2.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T2 (after the 6th stimulation, 2 weeks since T1)
Changes in the questionnaire of interference with daily activities at T3.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T3 (6 weeks since T1)
Changes in the questionnaire of interference with daily activities at T4.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T4 (10 weeks since T1)
Changes in the questionnaire of interference with daily activities at T5.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T5 (14 weeks since T1)
Changes in the questionnaire of interference with daily activities at T6.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T6 (18 weeks since T1)
Changes in the questionnaire of interference with daily activities at T7.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T7 (22 weeks since T1)
Changes in the questionnaire of interference with daily activities at T8.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T8 (26 weeks since T1)
Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI)
A standardized questionnaire to evaluate the symptoms of depression. Minimum=0 points, maximum=63 points. A higher score generally means more severe anxiety
Time frame: The measurement will be established as a baseline prior to the stimulation series. (at T1)
Changes in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) at T2.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T2 (after the 6th stimulation, 2 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) at T3.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T3 (6 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) at T4.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T4 (10 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) at T5.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T5 (14 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) at T6.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T6 (18 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) at T7.
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Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T7 (22 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) at T8.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T8 (26 weeks since T1)
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
A standardized questionnaire to evaluate the symptoms of anxiety. Minimum=0 points, maximum=63 points. A higher score generally means more severe anxiety
Time frame: The measurement will be established as a baseline prior to the stimulation series. (at T1)
Changes in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at T2.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T2 (after the 6th stimulation, 2 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at T3.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T3 (6 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at T4.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T4 (10 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at T5.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T5 (14 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at T6.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T6 (18 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at T7.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T7 (22 weeks since T1)
Changes in Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at T8.
Changes compared to the baseline (T1) will be calculated and further statistically compared between the groups. A negative difference to the baseline means an improvement
Time frame: Measured at T8 (26 weeks since T1)