ReviewBrain sciences2025
The Role of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Scoping Review.
Review in Brain sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundChronic shoulder pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder often associated with central sensitisation, which limits the effectiveness of conventional therapies. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention to modulate cortical excitability and potentially improve pain and functional outcomes.
methodsThis scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search was conducted across MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science to identify studies evaluating the effects of tDCS on pain and function in adults with rotator cuff disorders, myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), or subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS). Data were extracted and synthesised qualitatively.
resultsFour studies met the inclusion criteria. tDCS demonstrated variable efficacy: some trials reported no additional benefit when used alongside corticosteroid injections or sensorimotor training (e.g., SAPS and rotator cuff tendinopathy), while others showed enhanced pain reduction and functional gains, particularly in MPS. Targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) appeared more effective than stimulating the primary motor cortex (M1) in modulating pain. Functional improvements were generally observed, though not consistently superior to sham interventions.
conclusionsPreliminary evidence suggests that tDCS may represent a promising adjunctive treatment for chronic shoulder pain, particularly in MPS. However, due to the limited number of studies and heterogeneity in methods, conclusions should be interpreted with caution. However, heterogeneity in study protocols, stimulation targets, and patient populations limits conclusive recommendations. Standardised protocols and larger trials are needed to determine the optimal application of tDCS in clinical shoulder pain management.
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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.