Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: RICARDO VINICIUS SILVA DE SOUZA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : RICARDO VINICIUS SILVA DE SOUZA
DATE: 11/09/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Remoto
TITLE:

Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with aerobic exercise on
pain, disability, and quality of life in individuals with chronic nonspecific low
back pain: a blinded, randomized clinical trial.

 

KEY WORDS:

Low back pain; transcranial electrical stimulation; non-invasive modulation;
exercise; analgesia.

 

PAGES: 46
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional
SUMMARY:

Introduction: Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLNSP) is the
musculoskeletal disorder responsible for the highest rate of years lived with
disability globally. Furthermore, it is the most common form of chronic pain.
The management of chronic low back pain involves different intervention
strategies, including physical exercise, which is the most widely used
nonpharmacological treatment worldwide, and transcranial direct current
stimulation (tDCS), a newer approach that can produce beneficial effects in
patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as improved clinical outcomes and pain control. Objective: To investigate whether tDCS combined with aerobic
exercise is more effective in relieving pain, disability, and improving quality of
life in individuals with CLNSP than aerobic exercise alone. Methods: This is a
randomized, single-blind controlled clinical trial. Sample: 54 individuals (18 to
60 years old), of both sexes, with CLNSP. Participants will be randomly
allocated to two groups. Group 1: sham tDCS + aerobic walking exercise
(n=27); Group 2: active tDCS + aerobic walking exercise (n=27). Intervention:
Twice a week for 10 weeks, totaling 20 sessions using the tDCS protocol (20
minutes, 2 mA, in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) + walking
protocol). Assessments will be performed of pain (NPS and algometry),
disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability
Index), quality of life (Short Form Health Survey - 36 items - SF-36), fear of
movement (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia), chronification (Start-back
Screening Questionnaire), functional capacity and presence of pain (Five
Times Sit to Stand - 5STS), affective valence and perception of global effect.
Expected results and impacts: At the end of the study, it is expected that
applying tDCS directed at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex associated with
aerobic walking exercise will be able to enhance the reduction of pain and
disability, in addition to improving the quality of life in individuals with DLCNE.
Confirmation of this hypothesis will directly advance clinical physiotherapy
practice, integrating neuromodulation and exercise as a safe and effective
approach for the rehabilitation of individuals with CLBP. Furthermore, it will
contribute to expanding scientific knowledge in musculoskeletal
physiotherapy, strengthening the application of these techniques in the clinical
setting.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Interno - 2646619 - RODRIGO PEGADO DE ABREU FREITAS
Interno - 2566849 - WOUBER HÉRICKSON DE BRITO VIEIRA
Externo à Instituição - GLAUKO ANDRE DE FIGUEIREDO DANTAS - UFDPar