Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32647923›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)2020

Is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effective for chronic low back pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mohammad Alwardat, Antonio Pisani, Mohammad Etoom, Roberta Carpenedo, Elisabetta Chinè, Mario Dauri, Francesca Leonardis, Silvia Natoli

3 registry-linked trialsAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996), 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 3 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 31 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
31citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
2.0field-weighted citation impact, top 13% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT05757609 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Innovative Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in the Rehabilitation of Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

TypeinterventionalSponsorStephane ARMANDRan2023 to 2026Enrolled48ConditionsChronic Low Back PainArmsAnodal tDCS combined with active physiotherapy, Sham anodal tDCS combined with active physiotherapy
NCT05830851 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Aerobic Exercise for the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: a Randomized Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorEuropean University of MadridRan2023 to 2024Enrolled38ConditionsLow Back Pain, Chronic Low-back PainArmsreal tDCS and aerobic exercise, sham tDCS and aerobic exercise
NCT07432841 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Innovative Neuromodulation Treatments for Chronic Pain: Assessing and Predicting the Effects of Personalized High-Definition Protocols for Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS)

TypeinterventionalSponsorIstituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpARan2025 to 2027Enrolled144ConditionsChronic PainArmsAnodal High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Cathodal High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Sham (No Treatment)
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

31 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 51 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Mohammad AlwardatDepartment of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy. wardatm1@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2106-4524
Antonio PisaniDepartment of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Mohammad EtoomPhysical Therapy Department, Isra University, Amman, Jordan.
Roberta CarpenedoUnit of Pain Therapy, Policlinic of Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Elisabetta ChinèUnit of Pain Therapy, Policlinic of Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Mario DauriDepartment of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Francesca LeonardisDepartment of Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
Silvia NatoliUnit of Pain Therapy, Policlinic of Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
University of Rome Tor Vergata · ITPoliclinico Tor Vergata · ITAmerican University of Madaba · JO

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used to reduce pain in range of chronic pain states. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS on pain reduction and related disability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). A computer-based systematic literature search was performed in five databases according to PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of tDCS on pain and related disability in patients with non-specific CLBP were included. Modified Jadad scale and Cochrane's risk of bias assessment were used to determine the studies' quality and risk of bias. Meta-analyses were performed by calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD) at 95% confidence interval (CI). Nine RCTs (411 participants) were included in the systematic review according to inclusion criteria, while only five studies could be included in the meta-analysis. The primary motor cortex (M1) was the main stimulated target. The meta-analysis showed non-significant effect of multiple sessions of tDCS over M1 on pain reduction and disability post-treatment respectively, (SMD = 0.378; 95% CI = - 0.264-1.020; P = 0.249), (SMD = 0.143; 95% CI = - 0.214-0.499; P = 0.434). No significant adverse events were reported. The current results do not support the clinical use of tDCS for the reduction of pain and related disability in non-specific CLBP. However, the limited number of available evidence limits our conclusions on the effectiveness of these approaches.

Indexed as

Chronic PainLow Back PainMotor CortexTranscranial Direct Current StimulationHumansChronic painLow back painNeuromodulationNon-invasive brain stimulationSystematic reviewTranscranial direct current stimulation

Identifiers

PMID32647923
OpenAlexW3041447839

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.