Study Summary

Thirty patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain were randomized to receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)(n=15) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (n=15) across ten sessions over four weeks. The primary outcome was pain intensity (NPRS). Secondary outcomes included disability (NDI), cervical ROM, and PPT, assessed at baseline, post-treatment, one month, and three months. Overall, the results revealed both groups improved significantly over time for NPRS, NDI, ROM, and PPT; however, between-group effects favored tDCS for all PPT sites and for right cervical rotation. In short, tDCS was comparable to TENS for pain and disability but yielded superior mechanical pain sensitivity and selective ROM gains, suggesting a modest advantage of central neuromodulation on hyperalgesia.