tDCS for the Management of Chronic Visceral Pain in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis (tDCS)
Chronic Pancreatitis, Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Pancreatitis focused on measuring abdominal pain, pancreatitis, chronic abdominal pain, visceral pain, meditation, tDCS, noninvasive brain stimulation, EEG, Kirtan Kriya
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Provide informed consent to participate in the study
- 18 years old
- If taking pain medications, stable doses are required for at least 1 month prior to initiation of the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of alcohol or substance abuse within the last 6 months as self-reported
- Suffering from severe depression (with a score of >30 in the Beck Depression Inventory)
- Diagnosis of any neurological diseases (such as epilepsy)
- Episodes of seizures within the last 6 months
- Unexplained loss of consciousness
- Use of carbamazepine or neuropsychotropic drugs
- Have had no neurosurgery as self reported
Contraindications to tDCS
- Metal in the head
- Implanted brain medical devices
- Pregnant at time of enrollment
- Previous experience with meditation
Sites / Locations
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Sham Comparator
Active Comparator
SHAM
ACTIVE
We will apply sham tDCS on the primary motor cortex. We will use the same montage and parameters of active tDCS. However the current will be applied for 30 seconds in the beginning of the procedure and after that the current is turned off. This parameter for sham stimulation was chosen based on previous studies that have shown that perceived sensations on the scalp such as tingling usually fade out in the first 30 seconds of tDCS. It should be noted that less than 3 minutes of tDCS induces no effects on cortical excitability [29] and also using 30 seconds of sham is a reliable method of blinding as shown by a randomized controlled study [30]. Subjects will also meditate while receiving stimulation
A 1x1 Low-intensity DC Stimulator such as the Soterix Medical Inc. (Model 1224-B New York, NY, USA) or an equivalent device will be used to deliver direct current through 35cm² saline-soaked electrodes. The anodal electrode will be placed over the left primary motor cortex (M1) while the cathodal electrode will be placed over the contralateral supra-orbital area. Primary motor cortex will be localized using the 10/20 EEG system (C3 or C4) and this is a reliable method for the technique of tDCS [5]. During active tDCS, a 2mA constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes while the subject meditates. The primary motor cortex is a reliable "entry port" to modulate dysfunctional activity in pain-related neural networks.