Title : Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for chronic migraine: A randomized clinical trial with 20 patients
Abstract:
Background: Chronic migraine is a disabling and often treatment-resistant neurological disorder. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique with emerging evidence for pain management. To assess the efficacy and safety of anodal tDCS applied over the primary motor cortex (M1) in reducing pain intensity and migraine frequency in patients with chronic migraine, compared to sham stimulation. Twenty adults (12 women and 8 men; age range 27– 46) diagnosed with chronic migraine (ICHD-3) were randomized into two groups: Active tDCS (n=10) and sham (n=10). The active group received 2 mA of anodal tDCS over M1 (C3) for 20 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The sham group received stimulation for only 30 seconds. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and monthly migraine frequency were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 5 weeks follow-up. The active tDCS group showed a mean pain intensity and migrane frequency reduction. No adverse events were reported. Anodal tDCS over M1 significantly reduced pain intensity and migraine frequency in chronic migraine patients, with effects sustained for five weeks post-treatment. tDCS was safe, well-tolerated, and may represent a valuable non-pharmacological intervention.
Keywords: Chronic Migraine, tDCS, Neuromodulation, Pain Management, Non-Invasive Stimulation, Clinical Trial.
