Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) for Chronic Low Back Pain

This study is looking into how Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) might help people with chronic low back pain. Researchers want to see if one month of tACS, which uses a device to deliver mild electrical currents to the brain, can reduce pain. You might receive either real tACS or a sham tACS (no stimulation). The study will measure changes in brain activity (alpha activity and functional connectivity) and your pain intensity using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). To join, you need to be 18-60 years old, have had low back pain for over 6 months, and have a pain score of at least 4 out of 10. The study plans to enroll 80 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 80 participants. It compares real tACS to sham tACS (a device with no stimulation).
What's involved
Participants will receive one month of Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Measurements of brain activity and pain intensity will be taken at the beginning of the study and at week 4.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be assessed at baseline and again at week 4.

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NCT06568198

Modulation Effect of tACS on Chronic Low Back Pain

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–60InterventionalBasic science
Massachusetts General Hospital
~80 participants
Updated 2026-03-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Real tACSSham tACS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Alpha activity at rest
Measured over Baseline and week 4
+2 more outcomes measured
Chronic Low-back Pain
1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

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  • Alpha activity at restBaseline and week 4

    EEG/MEG data will be collected to measure alpha activity.

  • TC resting state functional connectivityBaseline and week 4

    fMRI data will be collected to measure resting state functional connectivity.

  • Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensityBaseline and week 4

    The NRS is a uni-dimensional measure of pain intensity that uses an 11-point numeric scale. We will use it to measure the average low back pain intensity in the past week.