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Preventing the transition from acute to chronic low back pain using home-based neuromodulation: protocol for a
Ariane Y Suhood1,2, Simon Summers1,3, Tasha R Stanton4,5
1Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
BMJ Open
|June 24, 2025
Summary
Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may effectively reduce pain and disability in acute low back pain (LBP) patients. This study investigates tDCS as a portable intervention to prevent chronic LBP and improve recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Management
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability globally, with current treatments offering limited success and potential side effects.
- Existing interventions often focus on chronic LBP, neglecting strategies for preventing pain chronicity.
- Non-invasive brain stimulation, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), offers a portable and cost-effective approach to target acute pain and prevent its chronification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving pain and disability in individuals with acute low back pain (LBP).
- To explore the potential of tDCS to expedite recovery from acute LBP and prevent the development of chronic pain.
- To provide insights into the feasibility and efficacy of tDCS as a self-administered intervention for acute LBP.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 40 participants with acute LBP (onset <8 weeks).
- Participants were randomly assigned to receive either active or sham home-based tDCS for two weeks.
- Outcomes including pain processing, disability, corticomotor organization, somatosensory function, electroencephalography, and affective-emotional characteristics were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Analysis will compare within-group and between-group changes in pain and disability over time.
- Daily online questionnaires will monitor pain intensity, safety, adherence, and tolerability during the intervention.
- Mechanistic factors will be assessed to understand potential mediators of treatment effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Home-based tDCS presents a promising, accessible intervention for acute low back pain.
- This approach may offer a novel strategy for preventing the transition of acute LBP to chronic pain.
- Further research and dissemination of findings will inform clinical practice and patient recovery.
