TREATING CHRONIC PAIN AND PTSD
SYMPTOMS IN
ONE INTEGRATED INTENSIVE
TREATMENT AT HOME FOR ONLY TWO
WEEKS.
WHAT DOES PARTICIPATION ENTAIL?
The study treatment involves about 2 hours per day for
2 weeks, all from the comfort of your home (via
televideo). You are only expected to come in person
for the first visit, the after-treatment visit, and two
follow ups (3 and 6 month) to pick up the tDCS
device, return the device and give blood samples (if
you choose). First, we will tell you about the study and
see if you are eligible. If so, we will ask you to sign a
consent and then ask you to complete survey questions
about mood and anxiety (psychological measures). If
you are willing, we will collect a sample of your blood
to study biological markers of stress. We will then train
you to use the tDCS device and televideo software.
You will use these for 10 sessions of daily treatment
(Monday to Friday, for two weeks only), which will
take place in your home. As mentioned, in addition to
the first visit where you sign the consent, there are
three more visits that take place in our offices: one
after treatment visit is completed to return the tDCS
device and complete the same questions as the first
visit, and take a blood sample (if applicable); again at
3 month follow up to complete the measures as in the
first visit and give a blood sample (if applicable) and
one at 6 month follow up (same a 3 month follow up)
HOW ARE tDCS AND PE GOING TO
BE DELIVERED?
The treatment is a psychotherapy delivered via
televideo. Our past research shows that
conducting this treatment via home-based
telehealth is as good as conducting the
treatment in person, but with greater
convenience.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE
IN THIS STUDY?
Active-Duty Personnel and Veterans (of all
war eras) 21 years old and above, who have
both pain and PTSD. We are also recruiting
patients who also have traumatic brain
injury (non-penetrating) in this study.
IS COMPENSATION OFFERED FOR
PARTICIPATION?
Yes, completion of each
assessment of the study (baseline, end of
treatment, 3 and 6-month follow up) will
be compensated.
WHAT IS tDCS?
tDCS or transcranial direct current stimulation is
an FDA-approved noninvasive brain stimulation
device which is used in this study to address
chronic pain.
WHAT IS PE?
PE or Prolonged Exposure Therapy is a
cognitive behavioral therapy designed to treat
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There
are two main treatment procedures –imaginal
and the in vivo exposures.
Imaginal exposure is repeated retelling of the
trauma memory and in vivo exposure is gradual
confrontations to places, situations and things
that are reminders of the trauma. This version of
treatment is delivered in only 10 sessions in two
weeks.
WHY ARE WE INTEGRATING tDCS+PE?
Two main reasons: first, people with PTSD
often experience pain. Second, pain and
PTSD may share some common underlying
mechanisms of maintenance. Third, this
treatment combination offers convenience