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Unravelling the Epigenetic Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Pain in Chronic Widespread Pain: DNA Methylation Regulation of the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression and Its Modulation by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Led by Vrije Universiteit Brussel · Updated on 2026-04-20
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
26 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying people with chronic widespread pain (CWP), including fibromyalgia, who often experience increased pain and fatigue after exercise, making it hard to stay active. This trial aims to understand how changes in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene relate to exercise-induced pain and to evaluate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during exercise can help reduce worsening symptoms. The study compares these effects in both people with CWP and healthy controls. Participants will undergo two different sessions in random order: one combining exercise with active tDCS and the other combining exercise with sham (inactive) tDCS. Each session includes a 20-minute bout of moderate aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer and 30 minutes of tDCS applied to specific brain areas. Participants visit the hospital twice with at least one week between visits to complete these sessions. During the study, participants will have their pain levels, blood BDNF protein levels, and BDNF gene methylation measured before and after each session. They will also complete online symptom assessments at multiple time points up to 7 days after exercise. Researchers will monitor fatigue, fibromyalgia impact, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression to understand how tDCS and exercise affect symptoms over time.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Added Value of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) During Exercise for People With Chronic Widespread Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of chronic widespread pain (CWP) or fibromyalgia for patient group
- Age between 18 and 70 years old
- Body mass index (BMI) 35 or less
- Widespread Pain Index showing pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, and in the axial skeleton lasting 3 months or more (patients only)
- Stable medication use for at least 1 month prior to study entry (patients only)
- No chronic conditions such as chronic pain or diabetes for healthy controls
You will not qualify if you...
- Current pregnancy or pregnancy within the past 12 months
- Contraindications for non-invasive brain stimulation as per safety guidelines
- History of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's disease
- Major medical conditions including cancer, endocrine or metabolic disorders, urinary, genital, or cardiovascular diseases
- Substance abuse
- Presence of psychiatric disorders other than depression or anxiety
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 2 sessions spaced at least 1 week apart
Participants undergo two sessions involving a single bout of moderate aerobic exercise combined with either active or sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The sessions are separated by at least one week. During each session, participants exercise for 20 minutes while receiving 30 minutes of tDCS simultaneously.
2 visits (in-person)
Duration - 7 days after each treatment session
Participants complete online symptom assessments to monitor pain intensity, fatigue, and fibromyalgia symptom impact at multiple time points up to 7 days after each treatment session.
Online assessments at 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days post-exercise
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
VUB
Jette, Belgium, 1090
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Pain in Motion research group
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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