Brain stimulation with exercise for chronic widespread pain

This study is testing whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—a gentle, non-invasive technique that sends mild electrical currents through the scalp—can help people with chronic widespread pain or fibromyalgia exercise without experiencing increased pain. Researchers believe that in people with these conditions, exercise can trigger a pain flare because of changes in how certain pain-regulating genes work. The study will test whether tDCS during exercise can normalize these gene changes and reduce post-exercise pain.

Many people with chronic widespread pain avoid exercise because it makes their pain worse, even though exercise is beneficial. Scientists have discovered that gene expression changes may explain why exercise causes pain flares in these patients. This treatment could unlock a way to help people exercise safely and benefit from physical activity without suffering increased pain.