Randomized, Sham Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy

• DOI: 10.5535/arm.2013.37.6.766
• Publication Date: 2014-01-13T10:39:42Z
• Authors: Yon Joon Kim; Jeonghun Ku; Hyun Jung Kim; Dal Jae Im; Hye Sun Lee; Kyung Ah Han; Youn Joo Kang
• Keywords: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Beck Anxiety Inventory; Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

To investigate the analgesic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over primary motor (M1), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and sham tDCS in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDPN).Patients PDPN (n=60) were divided randomly into three groups (n=20 per group). Each group received anodal anode centered left M1, DLPFC, or for 20 minutes at intensity 2 mA 5 consecutive days. A blinded physician rated patients' pain using a visual analog scale (VAS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) score, anxiety sleep quality, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), threshold (PT) to pressure.After sessions, M1 showed significantly greater reduction VAS PT versus DLPFC (p<0.001). The was sustained after 4 weeks follow-up compared (p<0.001, p=0.007). Significant differences observed among time (p<0.001), CGI score (p=0.01), No significant difference BDI immediately tDCS.Five daily sessions can produce immediate relief, relief 2- 4-week duration PDPN. Our findings provide first evidence beneficial on