Actively Recruiting
Remote tDCS and Chair Yoga for Chronic Knee Pain in Alzheimer's Patients
Led by University of Arizona · Updated on 2025-12-26
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
77 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a home-based, remotely supervised intervention combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and online chair yoga (OCY) to manage chronic knee pain in older adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Chronic knee pain is prevalent among individuals with ADRD and is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, contributing to neuropsychiatric symptoms, reduced quality of life, and increased caregiver burden. Current pharmacological options, such as opioids, pose risks of adverse events in this population. tDCS is a safe, noninvasive technique that uses low-intensity electrical current to modulate brain activity and may improve pain perception by targeting central mechanisms. Chair yoga is a mind-body intervention shown to improve pain and mood in older adults, including those with dementia. This study proposes that combining tDCS and OCY may have synergistic benefits in reducing pain and enhancing function. Participants will include older adults aged 60+ with mild to moderate ADRD and chronic knee pain, along with their caregivers. Over four weeks, participants will complete 14 supervised sessions of combined tDCS and OCY at home. Outcomes include feasibility, satisfaction, pain intensity, pain interference, neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep disturbance, cognitive function, mobility, and quality of life. Neurophysiological measures (e.g., fNIRS, EEG, HF-HRV) will also be assessed to explore underlying mechanisms. This study seeks to lay the foundation for future large-scale randomized controlled trials of home-based nonpharmacological interventions for chronic pain in ADRD.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Remote tDCS and Chair Yoga for Chronic Knee Pain in Alzheimer's Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Live in the community (not institutionalized).
- Have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, including Lewy Body Dementia, Vascular Dementia, or Multiple Etiology Dementias.
- Have mild to moderate ADRD with a Quick Dementia Rating Scale score between 6 and 20.5.
- Score above 10 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
- Experience chronic knee pain with an average pain score over 40 out of 100 in the past 3 months.
- Have no planned changes to medications or other treatments for knee pain during the study.
- Agree to participate in both transcranial direct current stimulation and online chair yoga.
- Be able to walk independently or with minimal help (such as a cane or walker).
- Speak and understand English.
- Be able to consent personally or have a legal representative provide consent.
- Have neuropsychiatric symptoms like apathy or agitation.
- Have no prior experience with yoga or tDCS.
- Caregivers must be at least 18 years old, provide at least 10 hours of care per week, plan to continue care for 4 months, be willing to assist with tDCS and chair yoga sessions, have reliable internet for videoconferencing, and understand English.
You will not qualify if you...
- History of brain surgery, brain tumor, head trauma, seizure or epilepsy, stroke, head cancer, or metal implants in the skull.
- Systemic rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or fibromyalgia.
- Knee prosthetic replacement or non-arthroscopic surgery on the affected knee.
- Skin problems on the head where tDCS electrodes would be placed.
- Serious health conditions preventing participation, like severe heart failure.
- Hospitalization for neuropsychiatric illness within the past year that affects knee pain or study involvement.
- Use of other neurostimulation devices such as spinal cord stimulators or implanted defibrillators.
- Caregivers with alcohol or substance use disorder, inability to understand English, disabilities preventing assistance, or unwillingness to provide care until study completion.
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Arizona College of Nursing
Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85721
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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