Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation of the primary sensory cortex on somatosensory perception.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is able to modify cortical excitability and activity in humans. Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of tDCS of the primary sensory cortex (SI) on thermal and mechanical perception, assessed by quantitative sensory testing (QST). Methods: The comprehensive QST protocol encompassing thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds as devised by the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS) was applied to skin areas innervated by the radial and median nerve of 12 healthy subjects, who were examined before and after each tDCS stimulation type. Anodal, cathodal, and sham tDCS was applied at a 1…