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Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Associated With Functional Exercise Program for Treating Fibromyalgia: A
Monayane G L Matias1, Daniel Germano Maciel1, Ingrid M França1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) associated with functional exercise on pain, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia (FM).
Design:
Randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized by blocks into 2 groups: tDCS associated with functional exercise (n=17) and sham-tDCS associated with functional exercise (n=14).
Setting:
Laboratory of neuromuscular performance in the department of physical therapy.
Participants:
Women with FM (N=31) according to American College of Rheumatology-2010 criteria.
Interventions:
Anodal tDCS or sham-tDCS was applied over the left motor cortex for 5 consecutive days during the first week of intervention (2 mA; 20min). All volunteers also engaged in 8 weeks of functional exercises 3 times per week.
Main Outcome Measures:
Pain intensity, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life were assessed pre-exercise and immediately after the first, fourth, and eighth weeks of intervention.
Results:
Pain intensity, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life increased significantly in both groups (P<.05); however, no significant differences between groups were found in all outcomes (P>.05).
Conclusion:
tDCS associated with functional exercises did not enhance the effects of physical exercise on pain, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life of patients with FM.
