title: Reduced discomfort during high-definition transcutaneous stimulation using 6% benzocaine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) allows for non-invasive neuromodulation using an array of compact (approximately 1 cm(2) contact area) "High-Definition" (HD) electrodes, as compared to conventional tDCS (which uses two large pads that are approximately 35 cm(2)). In a previous transcutaneous study, we developed and validated designs for HD electrodes that reduce discomfort over >20 min session with 2 mA electrode current.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a chemical pretreatment with 6% benzocaine (topical numbing agent) to further reduce subjective discomfort during transcutaneous stimulation and to allow for better sham controlled studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-treatment with 6% benzocaine was compared with control (no pretreatment) for 22 min 2 mA of stimulation, with either CCNY-4 or Lectron II electroconductive gel, for both cathodal and anodal transcutaneous (forearm) stimulation (eight different combinations).
  
  
  RESULTS
  RESULTS show that for all conditions and polarities tested, stimulation with HD electrodes is safe and well tolerated and that pretreatment further reduced subjective discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pretreatment with a mild analgesic reduces discomfort during HD-tDCS.
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Neural Engineering Laboratory, The City College of the City University of New York New York, NY, USA.
authors: Berkan
authors: B
authors: Guleyupoglu
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Neural Engineering Laboratory, The City College of the City University of New York New York, NY, USA.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Febles
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Neural Engineering Laboratory, The City College of the City University of New York New York, NY, USA.
authors: Preet
authors: P
authors: Minhas
authors: Biomedical Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Hamburg Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Hahn
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Neural Engineering Laboratory, The City College of the City University of New York New York, NY, USA.
authors: Marom
authors: M
authors: Bikson
keywords: HD-tDCS; direct current stimulation; sensation; tDCS; transcutaneous