Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Conjunction with Individualized Physical Therapy for Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of noninvasive brain stimulation that can have neuromodulatory effects on central nervous system structures, specifically the primary motor cortex (M1), and can potentially target maladaptive plasticity and nociplastic sources of pain. There is both anodal and cathodal tDCS, anodal stimulation increases excitability of the cortex whereas cathodal stimulation decreases excitability. At the synaptic level, anodal tDCS induces effects that mimic long term potentiation (LTP), while cathodal tDCS results in long term depression.

Participants will receive individualized and impairment-based physical therapy treatment for their knee pain. This treatment can involve manual therapy, exercise or balance training depending on their particular needs.