The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from Vietnam
Subjects: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) in treating neuropathic pain (NP) following spinal cord injury (SCI). Material and methods: Twenty patients with NP after SCI were enrolled. Before treatment, s...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751925000556 |
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| author | Anh Minh Nguyen Phuoc Trong Do Dung Tuan Hoang Bui Viet-Thang Le |
| author_facet | Anh Minh Nguyen Phuoc Trong Do Dung Tuan Hoang Bui Viet-Thang Le |
| author_sort | Anh Minh Nguyen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Subjects: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) in treating neuropathic pain (NP) following spinal cord injury (SCI). Material and methods: Twenty patients with NP after SCI were enrolled. Before treatment, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was utilized to locate the M1 regions. Subsequently, patients underwent tDCS stimulation with the anode over M1 region and the cathode over the contralateral orbitofrontal (COF) region. Treatment involved a 2 mA anode current for 20 min daily, five days per week, for four consecutive weeks. Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (0–10) were assessed before treatment, immediately after treatment and during the 1 and 3-month follow-up periods. Results: Significant improvements were seen right after treatment, with the DN4 score dropping from 5.4 (± 2.8) to 3.6 (± 2.3) and NRS from 5.8 (± 1.8) to 3.8 (± 1.9). This effect was sustained for one month after treatment cessation. Common side effects included drowsiness and a transient stinging sensation in the scalp, which were self-resolving. Conclusion: tDCS stimulation in the M1 region can effectively alleviate NP symptoms after SCI in the short term, with no severe side effects. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to determine optimal regimens for enhancing pain relief effectiveness and extending the duration of pain relief for patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-35d89be3034c4dcaba78f540bf1ae50b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-7519 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-35d89be3034c4dcaba78f540bf1ae50b2025-08-20T03:47:41ZengElsevierInterdisciplinary Neurosurgery2214-75192025-06-014010204310.1016/j.inat.2025.102043The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from VietnamAnh Minh Nguyen0Phuoc Trong Do1Dung Tuan Hoang Bui2Viet-Thang Le3Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Pain Management Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet NamFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Pain Management Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Corresponding author at: University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, 215 Hong Bang Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam.Pain Management Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet NamFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Pain Management Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet NamSubjects: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) in treating neuropathic pain (NP) following spinal cord injury (SCI). Material and methods: Twenty patients with NP after SCI were enrolled. Before treatment, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was utilized to locate the M1 regions. Subsequently, patients underwent tDCS stimulation with the anode over M1 region and the cathode over the contralateral orbitofrontal (COF) region. Treatment involved a 2 mA anode current for 20 min daily, five days per week, for four consecutive weeks. Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (0–10) were assessed before treatment, immediately after treatment and during the 1 and 3-month follow-up periods. Results: Significant improvements were seen right after treatment, with the DN4 score dropping from 5.4 (± 2.8) to 3.6 (± 2.3) and NRS from 5.8 (± 1.8) to 3.8 (± 1.9). This effect was sustained for one month after treatment cessation. Common side effects included drowsiness and a transient stinging sensation in the scalp, which were self-resolving. Conclusion: tDCS stimulation in the M1 region can effectively alleviate NP symptoms after SCI in the short term, with no severe side effects. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to determine optimal regimens for enhancing pain relief effectiveness and extending the duration of pain relief for patients.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751925000556Neuropathic painSpinal cord injuryTranscranial direct current stimulation |
| spellingShingle | Anh Minh Nguyen Phuoc Trong Do Dung Tuan Hoang Bui Viet-Thang Le The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from Vietnam Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery Neuropathic pain Spinal cord injury Transcranial direct current stimulation |
| title | The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from Vietnam |
| title_full | The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from Vietnam |
| title_fullStr | The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from Vietnam |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from Vietnam |
| title_short | The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: Practical research results from Vietnam |
| title_sort | effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury practical research results from vietnam |
| topic | Neuropathic pain Spinal cord injury Transcranial direct current stimulation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751925000556 |
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