Transcranial Direct Current Electric Stimulation Combined with Physical Exercise in Patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been explored as a strategy for pain management, but no study has investigated its use in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). This study evaluated the effects of the combination of resistance exercises (REs) with tDCS on pain, functionality, and quality of life in patients with GTPS.

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind trial, adults with GTPS were allocated to receive tDCS with RE (intervention group, IG) or sham tDCS with RE (control group, CG). Supervised 20 min sessions occurred on four consecutive days. Anodal tDCS (2 mA) was applied over the primary motor cortex. The primary outcome was the VISA-G.BR score at day thirty. Secondary outcomes included pain, functionality, and quality of life at multiple time points, assessed by HAGOS, PQAS, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and SF-36.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were included. Both groups improved, but between-group differences were nonsignificant for the primary outcome (VISA-G.BR effect size, -0.16; 95% CI, -0.54 to 0.27; p = 0.460). Secondary outcomes followed a similar pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings reinforce the value of RE in GTPS while suggesting a limited role for short-term tDCS protocols. Future studies should investigate whether protocols involving a greater number of stimulation sessions may produce superior clinical effects.