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Novel triple network neuromodulation treatment for chronic low back pain.

Year:
2024
Duration:
48 months
Approved budget:
$599,445.00
Researchers:
Dr Divya Adhia
,
Professor Dirk De Ridder
,
Associate Professor Ramakrishnan Mani
,
Professor John Reynolds
Host:
University of Otago
Health issue:
Neurological (CNS)
Proposal type:
Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship
Lay summary
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, associated with huge economic costs. Current available treatments, demonstrate small effect sizes, thus warranting the need for new innovative therapies. In individuals with CLBP, we have demonstrated abnormal functional connectivity in the three cardinal brain networks that are responsible for pain modulation, emotional and sensory components of pain experience. Moreover, these altered brain network connectivity are critical for development and maintenance of chronic pain, and are associated with clinical and psychological outcomes. Targeting these three cardinal brain networks may produce clinical benefits. The proposed research will evaluate the efficacy of a novel non-invasive neuromodulation paradigm, a high definition transcranial infraslow gray noise stimulation (HD-tIGNS) technique, targeting the triple brain networks simultaneously in its anti-correlated pattern, for modulating abnormal functional connectivity in people with CLBP. Feasibility, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of a home-based prototype neuromodulation intervention will also be tested.