Non-invasive brain stimulation in chronic pelvic pain: a systematic review.
Some studies reported benefits, especially with tDCS, but results were inconsistent and often did not persist. The review found too little reliable evidence for routine care.
Sabıroğlu M, Youssef H, Celik K, de Sire A, Eser HY, Taskiran OO.
Neuroscience · Publication date: 2026-09-10
Added to site: 2026-09-11
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2026.09.010
First-publication date from the authoritative indexed record.
- Modalities
- TMS, tDCS
- Clinical focus
- Chronic pelvic pain, Pain
- Population
- Adults with chronic pelvic pain
- Sample
- 15 studies with 295 enrolled and 264 completing participants
- Intervention / method
- Noninvasive brain stimulation using tDCS or rTMS
- Comparator
- Varied across included studies
Clinician summary
Nine tDCS and six rTMS studies were included. Most randomized trials had high or some risk of bias, with substantial heterogeneity in populations, protocols, comparators, outcomes and follow-up.
How to interpret the findings
Small samples, heterogeneous methods, limited rTMS evidence and bias concerns prevented meta-analysis and do not support routine use for chronic pelvic pain.
Equipment and disclosures
tDCS and rTMS protocols varied across included studies; device details were not resolved from the abstract.
Funding and competing-interest disclosures were not verified from the reviewed abstract.
Related evidence
Compare findings from the same clinical area, including mixed results.
- A safety and feasibility randomized placebo controlled trial exploring electroencephalographic effective connectivity neurofeedback treatment for fibromyalgia. · Mixed
- Biofeedback-Based Therapy in Patients With Myofascial Orofacial Pain and Bruxism: An Umbrella Review. · Mixed
- Pain Outcomes and Exercise Data from the EXERT-Stroke Pilot Clinical Trial on Post-Stroke Headaches. · Mixed
- Photobiomodulation Irradiation Protocols for Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Protocol-Level Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials. · Positive with limitations
Summary prepared with AI assistance. Source verification does not imply an independent replication or a clinician's endorsement. Read our review method.