Transcranial Direct Current Electric Stimulation Combined with Physical Exercise in Patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Study Summary

30 patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) were randomized to receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with resistance exercise (RE) or sham tDCS combined with the same RE protocol. Both groups completed 4 consecutive days of supervised, 20-minute exercise sessions. The primary outcome was pain and function, assessed using the Brazilian version of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Gluteal Tendinopathy (VISA-G.BR) at 30 days. Secondary outcomes included pain, functionality and quality of life, assessed using the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Outcomes were assessed immediately after treatment and at 30 and 60 days. Overall, the results of the study revealed no significant additional benefit of active tDCS over sham stimulation for the primary outcome or most secondary outcomes. Both groups experienced improvements in pain and function that persisted through 60 days. These findings suggested that a brief, low-intensity RE programme may be beneficial for GTPS, although adding 4 sessions of tDCS did not provide additional clinical benefit.