Objective: To investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) associated with functional exercise on pain, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia (FM).
Design: Randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized by blocks into 2 groups: tDCS associated with functional exercise (n=17) and sham-tDCS associated with functional exercise (n=14).
Setting: Laboratory of neuromuscular performance in the department of physical therapy.
Participants: Women with FM (N=31) according to American College of Rheumatology-2010 criteria.
Interventions: Anodal tDCS or sham-tDCS was applied over the left motor cortex for 5 consecutive days during the first week of intervention (2 mA; 20min). All volunteers also engaged in 8 weeks of functional exercises 3 times per week.
Main outcome measures: Pain intensity, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life were assessed pre-exercise and immediately after the first, fourth, and eighth weeks of intervention.
Results: Pain intensity, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life increased significantly in both groups (P<.05); however, no significant differences between groups were found in all outcomes (P>.05).
Conclusion: tDCS associated with functional exercises did not enhance the effects of physical exercise on pain, functional performance, psychological symptoms, and quality of life of patients with FM.
Keywords: Chronic pain; Exercise therapy; Fibromyalgia; Rehabilitation; Transcranial direct current stimulation.
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