Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors' conclusion
In conclusion, tDCS could significantly alleviate pain, but it might have no efficacy in physical function, stiffness, mobility performance, quality of life, and pressure pain tolerance among patients with KOA.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with knee osteoarthritis; Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library to April 30, 202313 RCTs
- Comparison
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) vs sham tDCS
- Outcome
- Pain and physical function
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model, two independent reviewers
- Random-effects model
- Two independent reviewers
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Pain
SMD (95% CI)P value
tDCSvs Sham tDCS
−0.62(−0.87 to −0.37)
P < 0.00001tDCS plus other non-tDCSvs sham tDCS plus other non-tDCSno longer significant
−0.45(−1.08 to 0.17)
P = 0.16Further pooled results
| Outcome | SMD (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical function (co-primary) | −0.09 (−0.56 to 0.38) | P = 0.71 | |
| Physical function, tDCS plus other non-tDCSvs sham tDCS plus other non-tDCSStill no significant association with improvement | −0.66 (−1.63 to 0.30) | P = 0.18 | |
| −2−101Difference (linear scale) |
Stiffness
- No significant difference with improvement in stiffness
- SMD = −0.21, 95% CI −0.77 to 0.34, P = 0.45
Mobility performance
- No significant difference with improvement in mobility performance
- SMD = 4.58, 95% CI −9.21 to 18.37, P = 0.51
Quality of life
- No significant difference with improvement in quality of life
- SMD = −7.01, 95% CI −22.61 to 8.59, P = 0.38
Pressure pain tolerance
- No significant difference with improvement in pressure pain tolerance
- SMD = 0.30, 95% CI −0.09 to 0.69, P = 0.13
Plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
- Statistically significant reduction in plasma levels of BDNF
- SMD = −13.57, 95% CI −24.23 to −2.92, P = 0.01
Original publication
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 31 January 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →