Evaluation of the Effectiveness of tDCS in the Management of Perioperative Pain

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a new medical technology can help reduce post-operative pain. The new technology is called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the management of postoperative pain. Specifically, this study will determine whether patients undergoing any type of inpatient surgical procedure that routinely requires at least a 1-day inpatient stay post-operatively will report less pain and use less opioid analgesics following a series of 20-minute sessions of tDCS (compared to sham tDCS) delivered up to twice per day post-operatively. In addition to comparing the effects of real tDCS to sham tDCS, the present study will evaluate the interaction of dose (number and frequency of tDCS sessions) and surgery type.

For Real tDCS, stimulation will be delivered in 20-minute-sessions using 2mA current. The anode will be placed over left BA9 or the motor cortex corresponding with the painful area (if applicable). The cathode will be placed over right BA43 (for GI pain) or right BA9 (located via the international 10-20 EEG system).

For sham tDCS, the device will be turned on for 30 seconds and then turned off for the duration of the 20-minute session.

To assess each participant's average pain at it's least in the past 24 hours, The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)-short form will be administered. The BPI rapidly assesses the severity of pain and its impact on functioning and has been widely used in both research and clinical settings. Participants rate their average pain at it's least in the past 24 hours using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0=no pain and 10=extreme pain.

To assess each participant's average pain at it's worst in the past 24 hours at Baseline, The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)-short form will be administered. The BPI rapidly assesses the severity of pain and its impact on functioning and has been widely used in both research and clinical settings. Participants rate their average pain at it's worst in the past 24 hours using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0=no pain and 10=extreme pain.

To assess each participant's pain on average in the past 24 hours at Baseline, The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)-short form will be administered. The BPI rapidly assesses the severity of pain and its impact on functioning and has been widely used in both research and clinical settings. Participants rate their pain on average in the past 24 hours using a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0=no pain and 10=extreme pain.

Inclusion Criteria: 18 years-75 years of age surgery at Medical University of South Carolina at least 2 days of post-operative stay Exclusion Criteria: history of seizures or epilepsy family history of seizures taking any medications shown to lower seizure threshold metal implants above the waist pregnant brain tumors or lesions pacemaker