Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) in chronic pain patients: Effects on daily-reported symptoms
Authors' conclusion
tDCS and tACS significantly reduced daily-reported pain in chronic pain patients.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with chronic pain
- Participants
- 120 patients
- Comparison
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or transcranial alternate current stimulation (tACS) vs sham stimulation
- tDCSn = 48
- tACSn = 48
- Shamn = 24reference
- Primary endpoint
- Daily-reported pain intensity (NRS 0–10, assessed online)
- Follow-up
- Throughout 45 days (pre-treatment, treatment, post-treatment periods of 15 days each)
Methodological detailsdouble blind, sham-controlled, home-based
- Double blind
- Sham-controlled
- Home-based
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Daily-reported pain intensity
Tau
−0.553
P < 0.001
tDCS
Tau
−0.563
P < 0.001
tACS
Further findings
| Outcome | Tau | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Pain unpleasantnesstDCS vs Sham | −0.489 | P < 0.001 |
| Pain unpleasantnesstACS vs Sham | −0.537 | P < 0.001 |
| Interference due to paintDCS vs Sham | −0.368 | P < 0.001 |
| Interference due to paintACS vs Sham | −0.424 | P < 0.001 |
| FatiguetDCS vs Sham | −0.255 | P = 0.02 |
| FatiguetACS vs Sham | −0.556 | P < 0.001 |
| Stress/anxietytDCS vs Sham | −0.245 | P = 0.02 |
| Stress/anxietytACS vs Sham | −0.685 | P < 0.001 |
Feasibility: drop-out and satisfaction
- Drop-out rate
- 6.66%
- Moderate satisfaction with the procedure (out of 10, all groups)
- around 5
Safety
- Minimal adverse effects of transcranial electrical stimulation reported
Original publication
Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) in chronic pain patients: Effects on daily-reported symptoms. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med. Published 25 September 2025. doi:10.
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