title: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation for chronic pain in the elderly: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that can affect human pain perception. The present open-label, single-arm study investigated whether primary motor cortex anodal tDCS treatment reduces chronic foot pain intensity and improves depression and pain-related anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with symptomatic treatment-resistant plantar fasciitis were enrolled in the study. The treatment consisted of anodal tDCS over the motor area of the leg contralateral to the symptomatic foot for 20 min, at 2 mA for 5 consecutive days. Pre-tDCS (T0), post-tDCS (T1), 1 week (T2), and 4 weeks (T3) post-treatment assessments were conducted consisting of the Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity, the Foot Function Index (FFI), the Pain Anxiety Symptom Scale (PASS-20), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS-17 items).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anodal tDCS treatment induced a significant improvement in pain intensity; FFI and PASS scores that were maintained up to 4 weeks post-treatment. In addition, patients reported taking fewer pain medication tablets following the treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that anodal tDCS may be a viable treatment to control pain and psychological comorbidity in elderly patients with treatment-resistant foot pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ, 07079, USA.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Concerto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mohomad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Sawah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chusid
authors.affiliation: Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trepal
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aguglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ, 07079, USA. fortunato.battaglia@shu.edu.
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Battaglia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D065908:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Anxiety; Elderly; Foot pain; Neuromodulation; Pain medication; tDCS