Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is implicated in pain modulation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for pain relief. However, studies on transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) over the DLPFC yielded diverse results, likely due to differences in stimulation protocols or pain assessment methods. This study aims to evaluate the analgesic effects of DLPFC-tES using a meta-analytical approach.
METHODS: A meta-analysis of 29 studies involving 785 participants was conducted. The effects of genuine and sham DLPFC-tES on pain perception were examined in healthy individuals and patients with clinical pain. Subgroup analyses explored the impact of stimulation parameters and pain modalities.
RESULTS: DLPFC-tES did not significantly affect pain outcomes in healthy populations but showed promise in reducing pain-intensity ratings in patients with clinical pain (Hedges\' g = -0.78, 95% CI = [-1.33, -0.24], p = 0.005). Electrode placement significantly influenced the analgesic effect, with better results observed when the anode was at F3 and the cathode at F4.
CONCLUSIONS: DLPFC-tES holds potential as a cost-effective pain management option, particularly for clinical populations. Optimizing electrode placement, especially with an symmetrical configuration, may enhance therapeutic efficacy. These findings underscore the promise of DLPFC-tES for alleviating perceived pain intensity in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of electrode placement optimization.
METHODS: A meta-analysis of 29 studies involving 785 participants was conducted. The effects of genuine and sham DLPFC-tES on pain perception were examined in healthy individuals and patients with clinical pain. Subgroup analyses explored the impact of stimulation parameters and pain modalities.
RESULTS: DLPFC-tES did not significantly affect pain outcomes in healthy populations but showed promise in reducing pain-intensity ratings in patients with clinical pain (Hedges\' g = -0.78, 95% CI = [-1.33, -0.24], p = 0.005). Electrode placement significantly influenced the analgesic effect, with better results observed when the anode was at F3 and the cathode at F4.
CONCLUSIONS: DLPFC-tES holds potential as a cost-effective pain management option, particularly for clinical populations. Optimizing electrode placement, especially with an symmetrical configuration, may enhance therapeutic efficacy. These findings underscore the promise of DLPFC-tES for alleviating perceived pain intensity in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of electrode placement optimization.
摘要：
目的：背外侧前额叶皮质（DLPFC）与疼痛调节有关，表明其作为缓解疼痛的治疗靶点的潜力。然而,对DLPFC的经颅电刺激（tES）的研究产生了不同的结果，可能是由于刺激方案或疼痛评估方法的差异。本研究旨在使用荟萃分析方法评估DLPFC-tES的镇痛效果。
方法：对涉及785名参与者的29项研究进行了荟萃分析。在健康个体和临床疼痛患者中检查了真正的和假的DLPFC-tES对疼痛感知的影响。亚组分析探讨了刺激参数和疼痛模式的影响。
结果：DLPFC-tES对健康人群的疼痛结局没有显著影响，但在降低临床疼痛患者的疼痛强度评分方面显示出希望（Hedges\'g=-0.78，95％CI=[-1.33，-0.24]，p=0.005)。电极放置显著影响镇痛效果,当阳极在F3且阴极在F4时观察到更好的结果。
结论：DLPFC-tES具有作为一种具有成本效益的疼痛管理选择的潜力，特别是临床人群。优化电极位置，尤其是在对称配置的情况下，可以增强治疗效果。这些发现强调了DLPFC-tES在临床环境中减轻疼痛强度的前景。强调电极位置优化的重要性。
方法：对涉及785名参与者的29项研究进行了荟萃分析。在健康个体和临床疼痛患者中检查了真正的和假的DLPFC-tES对疼痛感知的影响。亚组分析探讨了刺激参数和疼痛模式的影响。
结果：DLPFC-tES对健康人群的疼痛结局没有显著影响，但在降低临床疼痛患者的疼痛强度评分方面显示出希望（Hedges\'g=-0.78，95％CI=[-1.33，-0.24]，p=0.005)。电极放置显著影响镇痛效果,当阳极在F3且阴极在F4时观察到更好的结果。
结论：DLPFC-tES具有作为一种具有成本效益的疼痛管理选择的潜力，特别是临床人群。优化电极位置，尤其是在对称配置的情况下，可以增强治疗效果。这些发现强调了DLPFC-tES在临床环境中减轻疼痛强度的前景。强调电极位置优化的重要性。
