Comparison of the effectiveness of attention bias modification (ABM) with/without Trance cranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) on reduction of attention bias and severity of perceived pain in chronic low back pain patients.

comparison of effictiveness of attention bias modification (ABM) with/without trance cranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) on attention bias, reduction of severity of perceived pain ,disability due to pain and depression in chronic low back pain patients.

Participants randomly assign to experimental, control and placebo groups. The sample includes all of the low back pain patients between 20 and 50 years old who met the criteria for more than 3 months. Patients referring to Rofeideh hospital. The final sample size is 60.

Current study was conducted aiming at comparing attention bias modification with and without trance cranial direct current stimulation and its impact on reduction of pain and attention bias in patients with chronic low back pain at Rofideh Hospital. It is an experimental study with control and placebo group and two intervention groups. Blindness was achieved so that first the physician referred individuals to the examiner based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The examiner performed required evaluations, and referred them to the therapist randomly. Following intervention, the subjects were referred to the second examiner in order to evaluate the outcomes. Thus, the physician, subjects, and outcome valuates were kept blind in this study.

Inclusion criteria are: Age between 20 and 50 years. ability for writing and reading. low back pain more than 3 months. Exclusion criteria are: Substance and addictive disorder. psychiatric disorder( psychosis or bipolar disorder). migraine or recurrent headache. brain injury.

One of the experimental groups receives attention bias modification task by computer through 5 sessions of 20 minutes and the other received the same combined with trance cranial direct current stimulation(tdcs). Control group fill questionnaires.Placebo group receive sham trance cranial direct current stimulation.

The primary outcomes are decrease in attention bias and severity of perceived pain. Secondary outcomes are the decrease of depression and disability due to pain.

Some cost is paid by researcher and residual will be paid by Rofeideh hospital.

In this study, the subjects are randomly assigned into intervention, control, and placebo groups using random number table. Sealed non-transparent envelopes with random sequence were used to conceal random assignment. Following constructing random sequence by random table, 60 envelopes with aluminum wrappers (in order to obscure the envelopes) were prepared based on the research sample size, and each of random sequences was recorded on a card, and the cards were placed in the envelopes in order. External surface of the envelopes are numbered in the same order for preserving random sequence. Based on the order by which the qualified subjects entered to the study, the envelopes were opened and the assigned group for the subject was specified.

First, the physician interviewed with the patients considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, individuals qualified with inclusion criteria, who were content with participation in the research, were introduced to the interviewer and he conducted the primary evaluation. The subjects were then referred to the therapist and were randomly assigned into the intervention or placebo groups. After intervention, the subjects were introduced to the examiner author, and secondary evaluation was carried out. Second examiner was unaware of assignment of subjects in intervention groups. Thus, the subjects, outcome valuator (second examiner), and clinical care provider were kept blind toward the group assignments in this study.

Protocol of interventions including sessions’ description, the way of intervention, and system and software setting as well as number of the sessions will be published.

Complete details of the protocol can be accessible after paper publication.

All researcher working in academic and scientific institutes would be able to access the protocol.

All researchers who will study the similar search or, need to this protocol for completing history can use the protocol.

To receive the protocol send an email to this address: Syasaman@rocketmail.com( yasaman shiasy)

To receive the protocol, first applicant send a curriculum vitae by email and explain aim of study. The items will check and then applicant will receive the answer in a week.