Brain zaps + needles: new combo tackles back pain

NCT ID NCT03716830

First seen Nov 06, 2025 · Last updated May 16, 2026 · Updated 33 times

Summary

This study tested whether combining acupuncture with a gentle brain-stimulation technique (tDCS) can improve chronic low back pain. 116 adults with long-term back pain were split into four groups, receiving either real or fake versions of each treatment for one month. Researchers used brain scans to see how the treatments changed brain connections and pain levels, aiming to understand how these therapies work together.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129-2020, United States

Conditions

Explore the condition pages connected to this study.