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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Conjunction with Individualized Physical Therapy for Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain
NCT06132412 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Background: There is a high prevalence of chronic pain in the US, with nearly half of adults experiencing chronic pain. Chronic pain is associated with impaired mobility, specifically ambulation. Treatment for chronic knee pain is complex given that pain is not only due to peripheral sources, but also due to alterations of the central nervous system (CNS). Majority of physical therapy (PT) interventions involve a bottom-up approach targeting the peripheral pain sources and many patients (\~66%) do not respond to this treatment approach. Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a novel and promising option for a top-down intervention that can have neuromodulatory effects on the CNS and may better target central factors associated with chronic pain. Purpose: To determine if tDCS delivered to the primary motor cortex in conjunction with individualized PT will result in greater improvements in pain and function compared to sham tDCS with individualized PT in individuals with chronic knee pain. Methods: This study will be performed at outpatient PT clinics at the University of Illinois Hospital. Eligible participants will include patients with chronic knee pain (duration \> 3 months) who have not undergone surgery to this area and are scheduled to receive formal PT intervention. Subjects will be randomized to the active tDCS + PT group or sham tDCS + PT group and will receive the intervention for 8 sessions. Outcomes include pain ratings, pressure pain thresholds, patient specific functional scale, lower extremity functional scale, quadriceps strength, knee range of motion, 2-minute walk test, 5 time sit to stand, patient health questionnaire-2, and Central Sensitization Inventory. Impact: The use of adjuvant therapies such as tDCS have the potential to optimize rehabilitation treatment for individuals with chronic pain by offering a more comprehensive treatment that targets peripheral and central sources of pain.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- OTHER physical therapy
- DEVICE transcranial direct current stimulation
Study Locations (1)
Illinois
- University of Illinois Hospital — Chicago
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 30 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-06-06 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-01-01 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06132412
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06132412 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 30 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Illinois at Chicago, which has 421 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Knee Pain Chronic appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which physical therapy is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06132412 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Illinois. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06132412 about?
NCT06132412 is a clinical study titled "Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Conjunction with Individualized Physical Therapy for Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain". Background: There is a high prevalence of chronic pain in the US, with nearly half of adults experiencing chronic pain. Chronic pain is associated with impaired mobility, specifically ambulation. Treatment for chronic knee pain is complex given that pain is not only due to peripheral sources, but al...
What is the current status of trial NCT06132412?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 30 participants. The study started on 2024-06-06. Estimated completion is 2026-01-01.
What conditions does trial NCT06132412 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Knee Pain Chronic. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06132412?
The interventions under investigation include: physical therapy (OTHER), transcranial direct current stimulation (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06132412?
This trial is sponsored by University of Illinois at Chicago, which has 421 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06132412 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Illinois. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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