Translational Research on the Efficacy of Combined Central-Peripheral Electrical Stimulation for Nueropathic Pain

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19829
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Matsuo Hideaki 福井大学, 学術研究院医学系部門(附属病院部), 理学療法士 (60529387)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 神経障害性疼痛 / 経頭蓋直流電気刺激 / 経皮的末梢神経電気刺激 / リハビリテーション / 体性感覚誘発電位

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we examined whether combined stimulation with tDCS and TENS is effective in treating intractable neuropathic pain. First, we examined the effects of combined tDCS and TENS stimulation on sensory function and somatosensory evoked potentials in healthy adult subject. We found that combined stimulation increased sensory thresholds in various modalities and altered specific cortical components in the primary somatosensory cortex. Furthermore, we investigated changes in pain reduction, motor and sensory functions, and somatosensory evoked potentials after combined stimulation with tDCS and TENS in two patients with central cord syndrome who had neuropathic pain in the unilateral upper extremity. In both cases, pain reduction and accompanying improvements in motor and sensory functions and changes in somatosensory evoked potentials were observed.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経障害性疼痛は、長く続く強い痛みにより日常生活動作や生活の質に多大な影響を及ぼす難治性疼痛であり、有効なリハビリテーション方法は未だ不明である。様々な電気刺激療法は、非侵襲的で運動療法と組み合わせることが比較的容易である。運動療法と今回のtDCS+TENS同時刺は、神経障害性疼痛患者の疼痛症状と付随する運動・感覚障害にも有用である可能性がある。本研究では、tDCS+TENS同時刺激が神経障害性疼痛患者の疼痛症状に加えて、運動・感覚障害にまで作用しうる一つの治療方法となる可能性を示唆しており、今後のさらなる検証が必要である。