Evaluation of Pain Perception in Healthy Individuals After Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Keywords:
Eletric stimulation, Acute pain, Central nervous systemAbstract
Introduction: Recently, several reports have highlighted
the therapeutic potential of transcranial direct current stimulation
(tDCS). However, not many studies have addressed a case of acute
pain, although the various types of chronic pain have already shown
significant responses to treatment.
Objective: To study the pain limiar in healthy individuals.
Methods: Fifty healthy patients, 18 men and 32 women participated
in the study. The individuals were randomly assigned to receive
real or simulated tDCS, and were all submitted to a single session of
20 minutes. The anode was placed on the C3 position of the international
system 10‑20 and the cathode on the right supra orbital region.
A commercially available on the market, direct‑current stimulator was
used to apply a current of 1 mA 20 minutes. The individuals were
evaluated for pain perception using pressure algometer.
Results: Individuals from both experimental and control groups
showed significant increase in pain perception in values before and
after the stimulation, and showed no significant change if compared
to the group effect.
Conclusion: tDCS, used in many published studies up to this date
for treating chronic pain, did not show the same characteristics when
applied to healthy individuals without significant results. The nature
of pain has recently been linked to the regulation of homeostasis of
the body and its connection to affection, creating physiological stress
and initiating complex programs to restore homeostasis. The pain
perception in healthy individuals has distinguished representation of
patients with chronic pain.
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