Brain zaps during workouts may unlock pain relief secrets
NCT ID NCT07212829
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at why exercise often makes pain and fatigue worse for people with chronic widespread pain or fibromyalgia. Researchers will test if applying a mild electrical current to the brain (tDCS) during exercise can change how pain-related genes work. 120 participants (60 with chronic pain and 60 healthy) will exercise with either real or fake tDCS to see how it affects pain, fatigue, and genetic markers.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could reveal why exercise worsens pain in some people and point to ways to prevent that, potentially improving exercise tolerance.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage mechanistic study, not a treatment trial. Results may not lead to a direct therapy, and individual responses to tDCS can vary.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for FIBROMYALGIA (FM) are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
VUB
RECRUITINGJette, 1090, Belgium
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••