Effect of Cranial Stimulation and Acupuncture on Pain, Functional Capability and Cerebral Function in Osteoarthritis

The tDCS apparatus is operated on battery power, will be used rubber electrodes soaked in saline solution. The anode is placed in M1 and the cathode in the supraorbital region.

For the EAC sham we will use rubber electrodes. They will be applied in the same areas of active EAC. They are connected to the same electroacupuncture device, but without current passing for the patient. All subjects receive one 30min session.

For the sham tDCS we will use the same apparatus in the same location, but the current is stopped after 30 seconds.

For the acupuncture we will use needles with guide tubes that are 40 mm in length and 0.25 mm in diameter. The needling will be applied using an electro acupuncture device in the dermatomes, myotome, or sclerotome corresponding to the nerve roots involved in the knee (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, S1, and S2). All patients received one 30min session using a frequency of 2 Hz.