Recruiting

tDCS with EHVP-ABHP

Sponsor:

Emory University

Code:

NCT07411859

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Study Details

Brief summary:

This study will examine the effectiveness of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) in reducing chronic pain when used with Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP)-ABHP (Accelerated Behavioral Health Program) participants as measured by the Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity Scale (PEG).

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Study ID

NCT07411859

Start date

Feb 16, 2026

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

May, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

May, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male or Female, 18-89 years old
  • Treated on site for ABHP
  • Willing to self-administer tDCS and complete the measures
  • PEG pain intensity of 4 or more for most of the day at least 3 days per week
  • Have an established PCP (Primary Care Provider) or pain management provider

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Implanted pacemaker
  • Seizure Disorder
  • Pregnancy, if applicable
  • Any new onset of the following:

  • Balance Problems
  • Difficulty walking
  • Bladder incontinence
  • Bowel incontinence
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Weakness
  • Medical contraindications

  • Current use of sodium channel blockers
  • Lidocaine (OTC/transdermal delivery is ok)
  • Mexiletine
  • Amitriptyline; other tricyclic antidepressants
  • Anti-epileptic medications: phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, rufinamide, lacosamide and eslicarbazepine acetate

  • Current use of calcium channel blockers
  • Current use of N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists
  • Ketamine
  • Dextromethorphan
  • Felbamate

  • History of brain surgery
  • History of brain tumor
  • History of seizure disorder
  • History of stroke
  • Intracranial metal implantation
  • Adults unable to consent
  • Individuals who are not yet adults
  • Prisoners
  • Non-English speaking

Study Design

Enrollment

100 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) plus accelerated Behavioral Health Program

Participants will receive short, daily tDCS treatment sessions for two weeks. Starting Day 1, tDCS will be administered with a constant current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min per session for up to 10 sessions over 2 weeks.

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

tDCS is a painless brain stimulation treatment that uses direct electrical currents (at a constant, low intensity level) to stimulate specific parts of the brain and help modulate neuronal activity. Participants will receive a series of tDCS treatments during the Accelerated Brain Health Program (ABHP) coupled with self-report of pain severity and interference tDCS has been used to improve cognitive functions and pain management. Starting Day 1 of EHVP-IOP, tDCS will be administered with a constant current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min per session for up to 10 sessions over 2 weeks

Primary outcome measure

  • Change in PEG (Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity) scale [ Time Frame: Baseline, day 12 post-intervention (end of treatment) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Syreese Fuller

404-778-3188syreese.fuller@emory.edu

Locations

The Emory Clinic

Recruiting

Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30308

Contacts

Syreese Fuller

404-778-3188syreese.fuller@emory.edu

Principal Investigator:

Sheila Rauch, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

Emory University

Last update posted

Apr 14, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Emory University on 2026-04-14.