Fibromyalgia Treated with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Physical Exercise

¹Irmandade Santa Casa de Arapongas, Rua Calu, 155, Arapongas PR, Brazil

^2,3Centro Universitário de Valença – UNIFAA, Rua sargento Vitor Hugo, 161, Valença RJ, Brazil

*Corresponding author: Milton CR Medeiros, Irmandade Santa Casa de Arapongas, Rua Calu, 155, Arapongas PR, Brazil, Tel: 43999728197, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: June 17, 2025

Publication Date: July 04, 2025

Citation: Medeiros MCR, et al. (2025). Fibromyalgia Treated with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Physical Exercise. Neuro Research. 7(1):23.

Copyright: Medeiros MCR, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain and associated changes (anxiety disorder, sleep disorder, depression, cognitive impairment, and fatigue). It is more common in women. Treatment methods include physical activity, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications. Neuromodulation, especially transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), has been shown to have a significant impact on pain relief of fibromyalgia patients in many studies. In our research Ten outpatients, all women, participated in the study. They used different medications for fibromyalgia (anticonvulsants, dual antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and muscle relaxants) alone or in different combinations. All had intense pain, with a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 8 or more. These women were sedentary or did very little physical activity (less than once a week). The medications were maintained, and they were randomized into two groups matched by age. In group 1, five patients, with a mean age of 44.4 years old, received tDCS 2 milliamps for 20 minutes from Monday to Friday, for four weeks, with the anodal pole in the left motor area (M1) and the supraorbital cathodal pole on the right, without practicing physical activity. In group 2, five patients, with a mean age of 43,2 years old, received the same tDCS stimulus, but with physical activity (walking) of 150 minutes per week divided into 3 times. The VAS was reassessed at the end of treatment. The patients, all with severe pain (average of 8.5 on the VAS), were evaluated before the start of tDCS and after 4 weeks. All patients completed the study. Patients in group 1 (tDCS without physical activity) had the following VAS values after 4 weeks: 4, 3, 4, 5, and 3. VAS average of 3.8. Therefore, there was a significant reduction in pain intensity just by applying tDCS. In group 2 (tDCS associated with physical activity), the results were even better, with VAS after 4 weeks of 1, 2, 2,1 and 2. VAS average of 1,6. The differences between group 1 and group 2 were statistically significant, with t (t student) of 4.91and p less than 0,01. There were no side effects. In this randomized sample, it was possible to observe significant pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that the anodal stimulus in the primary motor area should be the one of choice for the improvement of pain sensation. So, tDCS is a promising method for the treatment of fibromyalgia, mainly due to its safety, low cost, and good efficacy. Our study suggests that the association of physical activity with tDCS intensifies pain improvement, when compared to tDCS alone. Studies with a larger number of patients should be carried out for more robust conclusions.

Keywords: Fibromyalgia, Disorder, Anodal Stimulation, Depression