P266 Efficacy of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in somatic symptom disorder, predominantly pain: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study

Abstract

Introduction Chronic benign pain is a symptom which contributes significantly to morbidity and causes considerable distress affecting various domains in a patient’s life. There is a growing need to address this issue for a safer and a better therapeutic intervention. tDCS is a non-invasive tool that has been found to have therapeutic efficacy in pain syndromes. Objectives To study the changes in pain severity, somatoform symptoms severity and global illness severity with adjuvant tDCS in Somatic Symptoms Disorder as compared to sham stimulation. Materials and methods We investigated in a prospective hospital-based, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial the analgesic effects of a 5 day treatment of anodal (tDCS) with 2 mA current for 40 min duration over the primary motor cortex in Somatic Symptom Disorder, predominantly pain. 26 subjects were assessed on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain at baseline, at end of 5th day and end of 30 days; somatoform symptom severity and global illness severity were also measured using Quantification inventory for somatoform syndromes (QUISS) scale and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) at baseline and on follow up of 30 days. Patients were also assessed on WHOQoL-BREF at baseline and on follow up of 30 days for quality of life. Results VAS Scores showed significant change as compared to sham group (Pillai’s Trace F = 74.32, p Conclusion Our findings give preliminary evidence that tDCS of the primary motor cortex is safe and effective for somatoform pain symptoms. These effects may be related to electrical currents induced in pain-related cortical and subcortical regions.