The efficacy of transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) in patients with trigeminal neuralgic headache (TN)

Samaneh Hajimohammadbagher¹ Arshia Roghaniaraghi²

1) PhD in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
2) Researcher, Talented High School Allameh Hilli 6, Tehran, Iran.

IOI Code : XDHZ-FCCFA
Publication : 3 rd Conference on Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Engineering (mecconf.com)
Abstract :
    Background and Aim: For patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has the advantage of being non-invasive and thus even for those who suffer from recurrent trigeminal neuralgia with less severe severity. Non-invasive stimulation of the cranial nerves or stimulation of the nerves through the scalp is always a technical challenge because it is usually difficult and painful for patients, and stimulation of these nerves increases the production of endorphins. As a result, the pain threshold in the person rises and blocks the entry of part of the pain into the nervous system. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed as a parallel trial on 60 patients admitted to the internal medicine department in one of Tehran hospitals. In this study, the pain intensity of 3 conditions without the use of electrical signal stimulation was evaluated using low frequency electrical signal stimulation (5 Hz) as Low and also using high frequency electrical signal stimulation (100 Hz) as High. . One-way analysis of variance, Tukey and Dant statistical tests were used to compare the mean pain intensity in different conditions. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the pain intensity of patients who had three conditions during headache or before pain from peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) through the skin (p <0.08), so that the lowest pain intensity when using stimuli High electrical signal and maximum pain intensity in the case without the use of electrical signal stimulation had a significant difference (p <0.08), but pain intensity in the case of using low electrical signal stimulation was not significantly different. Conclusion: Stimulation of electrical signals on trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in pain control has been able to generate very precise electrical impulses that can act on nerves initiating the action potential with low excitatory effects on the skull (Periosteum). The patient tolerates it easily and does not feel pain.

Keywords : trigeminal neuralgia (tn) peripheral nerve stimulation non invasive