Xinhua
21 Nov 2023, 19:44 GMT+10
WELLINGTON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A New Zealand researcher will trial a novel brain stimulation technique for treating chronic low back pain, a leading cause of disability worldwide, the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) said on Tuesday.
The trial by University of Otago researcher Divya Adhia, based on her team's previous research, shows that abnormal activity between three cardinal networks of the brain is associated with worse pain, poor function, and quality of life and wellbeing in people with chronic low back pain.
Expanding on this, she has developed a technique using transcranial electrical stimulation to normalize the abnormal electrical connectivity between these brain networks.
"Chronic pain goes beyond the structural level. It is an experience influenced by biological, psychological, social and lifestyle factors. It is really complex and largely moderated by the brain," Adhia said, adding her research will test if a brain-based therapy could be a way to enhance pain modulation and produce meaningful clinical benefits.
Current treatments include pharmacological options that have had small effects on chronic pain, and they may come with side-effects in the long run, she said, adding a new, non-invasive, safer therapy is warranted.
While similar brain interventions have been explored, they have focused on stimulating singular brain regions and have been limited by technology.
However, Adhia's research is different, not only because it targets multiple regions of the brain, but utilizes advanced technology and a uniquely designed waveform, said a HRC statement.
Targeting "triple brain network activity" and exploring its effect on pain will create new knowledge and lead to potentially new solutions for people with chronic pain, Adhia said.
The trial will include piloting a home-based treatment option, which could create greater acceptance for the intervention by individuals and their family, as well as reduce healthcare access-related barriers and service-delivery costs, she said.
Adhia received a fellowship of nearly 600,000 NZ dollars (364,065 U.S. dollars) from the HRC, which awarded a total of more than 15 million NZ dollars (9.1 million dollars) to 76 recipients of the HRC's Career Development Awards on Tuesday to help launch research careers.
Get a daily dose of Mexico Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Mexico Star.
More InformationTel Aviv [Israel], December 2 (ANI): In the wake of a devastating Hamas attack in Israel, a poignant ray of ...
Agartala (Tripura) [India], December 2 (ANI): Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday celebrated its 59th Raising Day during an event ...
Tel Aviv [Israel], December 2 (ANI): The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, confirmed the deaths of ...
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], December 2 (ANI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren met with the 15 workers from Jharkhand and their ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 1 (ANI): Comedian Vir Das has been receiving love and best wishes after he made India ...
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], December 1 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Friday that evacuating 41 workers safely ...
CHISINAU, Moldova: Over the weekend, heavy snowfall and strong blizzards in Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria left one person dead and ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: After a House Ethics Committee report found substantial evidence that he broke the law, New York Republican representative ...
In a report by The New York Times, it has been revealed that Israeli officials had obtained a detailed battle ...
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: Kyar Win, spokesperson for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, which launched a surprise offensive last month against ...
While Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has been frantically shuttling around the Middle East trying to stop the Israeli coflict ...
LESBOS, Greece: Greek authorities said a cargo ship sank off the island of Lesbos over the weekend during a storm, ...