Open AccessEffects of tDCS on pain and anxiety modulation in patients with fibromyalgia: systematic review with meta-analysis
Author(s) -
Eduardo Henrique Loreti,
Aneliza Cruz de Araujo,
Elaine Kakuta,
Alisson Alexandre da Silva,
Elisabete Castelon Konkiewitz
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.331
Subject(s) - transcranial direct current stimulation , fibromyalgia , anxiety , meta analysis , randomized controlled trial , medicine , physical therapy , population , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychiatry , stimulation , environmental health
Background: The prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) is estimated between 2% - 4% of the world population and is characterized by musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Therapeutic treatment for FM tends to be unsatisfactory, requiring the search for new therapeutic measures. Objectives: Analyze the evidence regarding the use and use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the modulation of pain and anxiety in patients with FM. Design and setting: A systematic review was carried out with meta-analysis. Methods: A search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Physiotherapy Evidence Databases (PEDro). Randomized clinical trials published between 2010 and 2021 that used tDCS to treat pain and anxiety were included. Articles that used tDCS associated with other techniques were excluded. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the PEDro Scale and the RoB 2.0. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results: Six studies were included, totaling 225 participants. Anodic stimulation (AE) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was better for pain control than tDCS sham (-1.56; 95% CI: -1.78 to -1.34; p <0,00001). AE on the primary motor cortex (M1) was better for pain control than tDCS sham (-1.45; 95% CI: -2.54 to - 0.36; p <0.00009), however , no difference was observed between AE over M1 and tDCS sham to improve anxiety (-0.63; 95% CI: -4.89 to 3.62; p = 0.52). Conclusions: The tDCS cam be effective for treating pain. More research needs to be done.