Home stimulation device tested for pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Tests a home brain stimulation device for pain in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effect of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With Low Inflammatory Activity
Key facts
- Where
- Porto Alegre, BrazilSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Source: NCT07162311, who can take part
Where in Brazil
- Hospital de Clinicas de Porto AlegrePorto Alegre, BrazilNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
- Trial code
- NCT07162311
- Record updated
- 9 September 2025
- Original description
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly complex inflammatory autoimmune disease. Several drugs have been developed in recent decades to target the immune components of inflammation. However, even with effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies for controlling RA, many patients still report significant levels of chronic pain due to CNS neuroplasticity, perpetuating physical disability, psychosocial problems, decreased work activity, and poor quality of life. In addition, chronic pain can lead to increased public spending due to the need for more medical visits, ineffective drug treatments, and financial disability benefits. Transcranial stimulation (a noninvasive neural stimulation technique with minimal adverse effects and easy home use) has been a promising adjunct tool in the treatment of chronic pain and psychological disorders in diseases that affect the central nervous system in the long term. Thus, exploring transcranial direct current stimulation in RA patients with low levels of inflammation could impact on improving pain, functionality, psychological aspects and overall quality of life, as well as reducing healthcare costs for society.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effect of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With Low Inflammatory Activity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly complex inflammatory autoimmune disease. Several drugs have been developed in recent decades to target the immune components of inflammation. However, even with effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies for controlling RA, many patients still report significant levels of chronic pain due to CNS neuroplasticity, perpetuating physical disability, psychosocial problems, decreased work activity, and poor quality of life. In addition, chronic pain can lead to increased public spending due to the need for more medical visits, ineffective drug treatments, and financial disability benefits. Transcranial stimulation (a noninvasive neural stimulation technique with minimal adverse effects and easy home use) has been a promising adjunct tool in the treatment of chronic pain and psychological disorders in diseases that affect the central nervous system in the long term. Thus, exploring transcranial direct current stimulation in RA patients with low levels of inflammation could impact on improving pain, functionality, psychological aspects and overall quality of life, as well as reducing healthcare costs for society.
Inclusion: Participants aged 18-70 with RA; Participants with generalized pain ≥ 40 mm on the VAS-Pain scale, lasting over 3 months, and not of mechanical or inflammatory origin, as assessed by a certified rheumatologist; Evidence of low inflammatory markers, including with C-reactive protein (CRP) <10 mg/dL and sedimentation rate (ESR) <20 mm/h, and stable treatment for PsA for at least 6 months prior to study enrollment.
Exclusion: History of brain surgery, traumatic brain injury, stroke, previous intracranial metal implantation, pregnancy, or breastfeeding; Previous history of autoimmune diseases other than RA; Previous history of neoplasia; Use of illicit drugs within the past 6 months; History of neurological diseases; History of any other uncompensated clinical disease.