Comparative Effects of tDCS and tACS on Pain, Dexterity, and Strength in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Key facts
- Who runs it
- University of Management and Technology Lahore
- Where
- Pakistan1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
- Trial code
- Status
- Active, not recruiting
- People taking part
- 46 people enrolled
- Started
- 22 Oct 2026
- Expected to end
- 31 Dec 2026
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)
- Record updated
- 3 November 2026
Who can take part
- Age
- 45 years to 70 years
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 15 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Age 45 to 70 years ,
- Both Gender male and female
- HbA1c (>6.5%)
- Neuropathic symptoms, Diabetic Neuropathic Questionnaire (DN-4= >4)
- Visual Analogue Scale VAS (4 or higher)
- Stable chronic pain for at least 3 preceding months
- Persistent pain after taking medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tramadol, antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, or opioids
- Mini Mental Status Examination MMSE (>24)
Who cannot take part
- Contraindication for tDCS, such as an intracranial or orbital metallic implant or pacemaker
- Any uncontrolled clinical disease (as evaluated by each patient's clinician), such as thyroid, cardiovascular, pulmonary, haematological, pulmonary, or renal disease or psychiatric disorder
- history of substance abuse or neuropsychiatric comorbidity
- Pain attributable to other causes, such as spinal stenosis, peripheral blood vessel disease, lower extremity edema-related pain, and neuropathic pain due to a brain lesion or peripheral nerve injury,
- implanted devices for pain control, such as vagal or deep brain stimulators
- alcoholism
- dizziness and amputation
This trial has no sites in United States.
It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
This study will be to compare the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial alternating current stimulation on neuropathic pain, manual dexterity and isometric muscle strength in diabetic peripheral neuropathic patients. Study design will be randomized clinical trial. Evaluation will be done by using McGill Pain Questionnaire-2, Digital force gauge sf-500 and wooden 9 hole peg board. Non-probability convenient sampling will be used and 38 subjects will be allocated to two groups by random allocation. Group A will receive TDCS and Group B will receive TACS. Both groups will receive hot pack, and ROM exercises of upper extremity before techniques application. Both groups will receive 20 sessions for the period of 4 weeks. Measurements of all the outcome variables will be taken at baseline and 4th week.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) with Conventional Physical TherapyTreatment being tested
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) will be applied over the primary motor cortex (M1) hand area corresponding to the C3 position according to the International 10-20 EEG system. The anodal electrode will be positioned over C3, while the cathodal electrode will be placed over the right supraorbital region. Saline-soaked sponge electrodes measuring 5 × 5 cm will be used for stimulation. A direct current of 2 mA will be delivered for 20 minutes per session. The intervention will be administered once daily, five days per week, for a total of 20 sessions over a period of 4 weeks
Treatment: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) with Conventional Physical TherapyExisting treatment, for comparison
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) will be applied targeting the frontal cortex and the primary motor cortex (M1). Stimulation will be delivered at an intensity of 2 mA with a frequency of 5 -10 Hz bilaterally. Each treatment session will last 20 minutes. The intervention will be administered daily for five days per week according to the treatment schedule. Standardized electrode placement and stimulation parameters will be maintained throughout the intervention period to ensure consistency across sessions
Treatment: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)
Data and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Neuropathic Pain, Manual Dexterity and Strength in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Patients.
- Record updated
- 3 November 2026