Self Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Mindfulness-based Meditation for Pain in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis (Self tDCS and Meditation for Knee Pain)
Phase: NA
Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

IRB NUMBER: HSC-SN-18-0885 
IRB APPROPaVgAeL1DATE: 01/03/2019 
UT Houston Protocol Template 
Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Self Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Mindfulness-based Meditation for 
Pain in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis (Self tDCS and Meditation for Knee 
Pain) 
 
NCT03747640 
 
Version Date: 01/03/2019 
 
 

IRB NUMBER: HSC-SN-18-0885 
IRB APPROPaVgAeL2DATE: 01/03/2019 
UT Houston Protocol Template 
Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
 
Protocol Title: 
Self Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Mindfulness-based 
Meditation for Pain in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis (Self tDCS and 
Meditation for Knee Pain) 
 
Principal 
Investigator: 
Hyochol Ahn 
, PhD 
Co-Investigators: 
Hongyu Miao, PhD 
Luca Pollonini, PhD 
 
Study Coordinator: 
Jung Hwa Do, PhD 
 
Population: 
A maximum of 30 community-dwelling older adults with knee osteoarthritis 
who are 50–85 years old in in Southeast Texas will be enrolled. Participants 
who meet eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned to either (1) tDCS plus 
meditation (n=15) or (2) sham-tDCS plus sham-meditation group (n=15) (1:1 
for two groups) using the order of entrance in the study. 
 
Number of Sites: 
UTHealth School of Nursing is the only site for this study. 
 
Study Duration: 
One year 
 
Subject Duration: 
Two weeks 
 
 
 
General Information 
− 
Clinical studies of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), which modulates central nervous 
system pain processing in a noninvasive and painless manner, have shown promising preliminary 
results for other types of chronic pain, but no studies to date have determined the synergistic effect 
of self tDCS and mindfulness-based meditation in osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study is to 
determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a two-week self tDCS and mindfulness-based 
meditation on pain using randomized controlled trial design. In this randomized controlled study, 
clinical pain intensity, experimental pain sensitivity using quantitative sensory testing, pain-related 
cortical response using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and psychosocial symptoms will be 
compared between these two groups. tDCS is a novel treatment that is noninvasive, non- 
pharmacological, and likely to be well-received by older adults with knee osteoarthritis. 
Mindfulness-based meditation has also demonstrated promise for pain management. It may be 
particularly effective when combined with mindfulness-based meditation since both of them 
stimulates adaptive changes in the brain. Thus, this research has the potential to improve treatment 
of osteoarthritis-related symptoms in older adults. 
 
Background Information 
− 
Arthritis is one of the leading causes of pain, impairments of activities in daily life, and disability in 
people aged 45 and above.1,2 Of the 53 million adults diagnosed with arthritis, more than 22 million 
(42%) reported trouble with their activities of daily living due to arthritis.3 Osteoarthritis (OA) is the 
most common of the arthritic conditions, with the knee being the most commonly affected joint.2,4,5 

IRB NUMBER: HSC-SN-18-0885 
IRB APPROPaVgAeL3DATE: 01/03/2019 
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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
Patients with chronic pain, such as knee OA pain, do not have sufficient pain relief,6 and this leads to 

IRB NUMBER: HSC-SN-18-0885 
IRB APPROPaVgAeL4DATE: 01/03/2019 
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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
decreased physical functioning and mobility disability. OA pain is characterized by altered pain and 
sensory processing in the central nervous system similar to other chronic pain syndromes.7,8 
Because pharmacologic treatments can increase adverse events among older adults,9-11 there is a 
growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions targeting central nervous system pain 
processing for this population. Specifically, noninvasive brain stimulation, such as Transcranial Direct 
Current Stimulation (tDCS), has received significant attention for the treatment of pain in chronic 
conditions due to its neuromodulatory effect.12-15 tDCS involves the application of weak direct 
electric current to the head in a noninvasive and painless manner, leading to the modulation of the 
resting membrane potentials of neurons and alteration of the endogenous excitability of the 
targeted cortical area.16 This stimulation is believed to mediate analgesic effects by modulating pain 
processing pathways.17,18 Previous studies indicated that tDCS is effective in reducing pain in chronic 
conditions, including fibromyalgia,12 spinal cord injury,12 and multiple sclerosis.14 It may be 
particularly effective when combined with mindfulness-based meditation19 since both of them 
stimulates adaptive changes in the brain. Therefore, we will evaluate the feasibility and preliminary 
efficacy of a self tDCS combined with mindfulness-based mediation in older adults with knee OA 
pain. Our hypothesis is that 10 daily sessions of self tDCS and mindfulness-based meditation over 2 
weeks will reduce clinical pain intensity, experimental pain sensitivity, and pain-related cortical 
response (e.g., reduced heat pain-evoked response in pain-related cortical regions) more than sham 
tDCS-meditation group. 
 
Objectives 
− 
The purpose of this project is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a two-week self 
tDCS and mindfulness-based meditation on pain in older adults with knee OA. The specific aims are 
the following: (1) To evaluate feasibility and safety of self tDCS and mindfulness-based meditation in 
older adults with knee osteoarthritis pain, and (2) To estimate preliminary efficacy of self tDCS and 
mindfulness-based meditation on clinical pain, experimental pain sensitivity using quantitative 
sensory testing measures, fNIRS imaging, and psychosocial symptoms in older adults with knee OA. 
Outcome measures include clinical pain intensity, experimental pain sensitivity using quantitative 
sensory testing, pain-related cortical response using functional near-infrared spectroscopy 
(hemodynamic activity in pain-related cortical regions), and psychosocial symptoms. 
 
Study Design 
− 
We will conduct a randomized, sham-controlled, parallel-group 
study in 30 older adults with knee OA at the UTHealth School 
of Nursing with two groups: (1) two-week self tDCS and 
mindfulness-based meditation (n=15) and (2) sham-tDCS plus 
sham-meditation (n=15). 
− 
Expected duration of study is one year after the IRB approval 
from CPHS. 
− 
tDCS with a constant current intensity of 2 mA will be applied 
for 20 minutes per session daily for 2 weeks (Monday to Friday) 
via the Soterix 1x1 tDCS mini-CT Stimulator device (Soterix 
Medical Inc., NY; 6.5 inches long, 3 inches wide, 0.7 inches thick) 
with headgear and 5x7 cm saline-soaked surface sponge 
electrodes. The FDA has ruled that the aforementioned tDCS stimulator is a “non-significant risk” 
device, a requirement for Investigational Device Exceptions. The sponge electrodes snap into the 
custom headgear, which is secured to the participant’s head for simple and fail-safe electrode 
preparation. This single-position headgear with clearly labeled sponge markers eliminates room for 

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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
user error and helps conserve the placement of the montage. Participants can only administer a 
stimulation session via the Soterix 1x1 tDCS mini-CT Stimulator device after being provided a single- 
use unlock code by the research staff once proper contact quality is achieved (only the on/off button 
will be adjustable by the study participants; they will not be able to adjust the device settings). After 
the participant enters the unlock code, the screen on the device will show a timer that counts down 
the minutes until the end of the session. At 20 minutes, the device will turn off automatically, and 
study staff will instruct the participant to remove the headset and discard the sponges and to safely 
store all materials for the next session. For sham stimulation, the electrodes will be placed in the same 
positions as for active stimulation, but the stimulator will only deliver 2 mA current for 30 seconds. 
This sham stimulation method has been shown to be reliable and indistinguishable from active 
treatment.12,20 
− 
During each tDCS session, participants will practice mindfulness-based meditation. The meditation 
intervention will be delivered by a recorded device that participants will be given together with the 
tDCS. All meditation instruction recordings will be done by an experienced mind-body intervention 
specialist and installed in a user-friendly MP3 player. For sham meditation, the participants will be 
instructed, approximately every 2–3 minutes, to take deep breaths as we sit in meditation. We will 
match time spent giving instructions in the sham meditation intervention to the mindfulness 
intervention. 
 
Study Population 
− 
A maximum of 30 community-dwelling older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) will be enrolled. 
Participants who are 50–85 years old will be considered eligible if they (1) have self-reported 
unilateral or bilateral knee OA pain, according to American College of Rheumatology criteria,21 (2) 
have had knee OA pain in the past 3 months with an average of at least 30 on a 100 Numeric Rating 
Scale (NRS) for pain, (3) can speak and read English, (4) have a device with internet access that can 
be used for secure video conferencing for real-time remote supervision, (5) have no plan to change 
medication regimens for pain throughout the trial, (6) are able to travel to the coordinating center, 
and (7) are willing and able to provide written informed consent prior to enrollment. According to 
American College of Rheumatology criteria,21 participants should meet at least 3 of 6 criteria, 
including age > 50 years, stiffness < 30 minutes, crepitus, bony tenderness, bony enlargement, and 
no palpable warmth. Participants will be excluded if they have concurrent medical conditions that 
hinder the completion of the protocol, including: (1) history of brain surgery, brain tumor, seizure, 
stroke, or intracranial metal implantation, (2) serious medical illness, such as uncontrolled 
hypertension (i.e., systolic blood pressure/ diastolic blood pressure ≥ 150/95 mm Hg), heart failure, 
or history of acute myocardial infarction, (3) alcohol/substance abuse, (4) cognitive impairment, (5) 
pregnancy or lactation, and (6) hospitalization within the preceding year for psychiatric illness. 
− 
Participants will be recruited in Southeast Texas under the direction of the PI. We will advertise 
around local institutions (e.g., UTHealth) and communities, including advertisements in clinics. Our 
recruitment strategy involves screening and recruiting potential participants from the UT Physicians 
clinic and posting study flyers. Screening will include accessing Allscripts. Identifiers will be collected 
from Allscripts for finding potential subjects (e.g. name, date of birth, telephone number, email 
address). PI will oversee participant screening and recruitment. Study investigators or trained study 
personnel will approach the potential participant for further determination of eligibility screening 
requirements. Obtaining written informed consent will take place in-person at a scheduled baseline 
visit. 

IRB NUMBER: HSC-SN-18-0885 
IRB APPROPaVgAeL6DATE: 01/03/2019 
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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
Study Procedures 
− 
Participants will do self tDCS and mindfulness-based meditation at their home or private room for 
two weeks (Mondays-Fridays) under real-time supervision by the research staff. Data will be 
collected by study staff across several points using equipment and resources available at Dr. Ahn’s 
(PI’s) laboratory at UTHealth School of Nursing (see Table below). Participants will visit UTHealth 
School of Nursing two times, and each visit will take 2-3 hours. 
Stimulation Session 
Baseline 
Week 1 
Week 2 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Informed Consent 
X 
Medical History Questionnaire 
X 
Pregnancy Test (female) 
X 
Clinical Pain Intensity 
NRS 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
WOMAC 
X 
X 
Psychosocial Symptoms 
PROMIS Anxiety 
X 
X 
PROMIS Depression 
X 
X 
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance 
X 
X 
PCS 
X 
X 
FMI 
X 
X 
Feasibility and Tolerability 
Participants’ tDCS experience 
X 
Side Effects Questionnaire 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Experimental Pain Sensitivity 
QST measures 
X 
X 
Pain-related Cortical response 
fNIRS imaging 
X 
X 
Note: B, Baseline; NRS, numeric rating scale for pain; WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster 
Universities Osteoarthritis Index; QST, quantitative sensory testing; fNIRS, functional near-infrared 
spectroscopy; PROMIS, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System; PCS, Pain 
Catastrophizing Scale; FMI, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory. 
 
− 
Pregnancy Test. If participants are a woman of childbearing potential, there may be unknown risks 
to the fetus. Therefore, pregnancy test by a sample of urine will be obtained in all woman of 
childbearing potential once at baseline visit. 
− 
Medical History Questionnaire. All patients will complete a thorough medical history that include 
height and weight, self-reported duration of OA, current and past treatments for OA, comorbid 
conditions, and current medication use. 
− 
Clinical Pain. Clinical pain will be measured by (1) numeric rating scale for pain (NRS) for pain 
(primary outcome),22 and (2) Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index 
(WOMAC).23 The NRS assess average pain over the past 24 hours from 0 (no pain) to 100 (most 
intense pain imaginable), and has been reported to have Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of ≥ 0.8 and 
well-validated measure with good ability to detect pain change in adults with knee OA.22 The 
WOMAC ranges from 0 to 96, with higher scores indicating worse OA pain-related symptoms. NRS 
will be conducted at 11 time points (baseline, and each treatment session during the treatment 
period) and WOMAC will be obtained two times (baseline and at the end of the treatment week). 
− 
Psychosocial Symptoms. Psychosocial symptoms will be measured by (1) PROMIS anxiety-short 
form, (2) PROMIS depression-short form, and (3) PROMIS sleep disturbance-short form scale,24 (4) 
Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and (5) Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMS). The 7-item PROMIS 

IRB NUMBER: HSC-SN-18-0885 
IRB APPROPaVgAeL7DATE: 01/03/2019 
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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
Anxiety Short Form assesses the pure domain of anxiety in individuals age 18 and older, and each 
item on the measure is rated on a 5-point scale (1=never; 2=rarely; 3=sometimes; 4=often; and 
5=always) with a range in score from 7 to 35 with higher scores indicating greater severity of 
anxiety. The 8-item PROMIS Depression Short Form assesses the pure domain of depression in 
individuals age 18 and older, and each item on the measure is rated on a 5-point scale (1=never; 
2=rarely; 3=sometimes; 4=often; and 5=always) with a range in score from 8 to 40 with higher 
scores indicating greater severity of depression. The 8-item PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form 
assesses the pure domain of sleep disturbance in individuals age 18 and older, and each item on the 
measure is rated on a 5-point scale (1=never; 2=rarely; 3=sometimes; 4=often; and 5=always) with a 
range in score from 8 to 40 with higher scores indicating greater severity of sleep disturbance. The 
Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) consists of 13 items assessing three components of catastrophizing: 
rumination, magnification, and helplessness.25 The Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) is a 
psychometrically valid 14-item instrument with high internal consistency.26 
− 
Feasibility. We will calculate the number of participants who a) meet the inclusion criteria, and b) 
complete the full tDCS-meditation protocol. We will also collect data on participants’ tDCS 
experience at the conclusion of tDCS treatment on a 0 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree) 
scale: 1) It was easy to prepare the device and accessories, 2) The device was unnecessarily complex, 
3) The device was easy to use, 4) I felt the video conferences with a technical person were helpful, 5) 
I would imagine that most people would learn to use this device quickly, 6) The device was 
cumbersome to use, 7) I felt confident using the device, 8) I needed to learn a lot of things before I 
could get going with this device, 9) The effectiveness of the treatment increased over the course of 
treatment, 10) Overall, I felt that transcranial electrical stimulation treatment benefited me. 
− 
Tolerability. We will evaluate the presence and severity of possible side effects of treatment at the 
end of each session on a 0 (not at all) to 10 (highest degree) scale. The participants will be asked in 
an open-ended manner whether they have experienced any side effects, and they will then be asked 
specifically about tingling, itching sensation, burning sensation, pain at the stimulation site, fatigue, 
nervousness, headache, difficulty concentrating, mood change, and changes in vision or visual 
perception. If any side effects are reported, the degree of relatedness to the intervention will be 
assessed on a 5-point scale. This approach has been used in our previous study and frequently in 
other studies.27-29 
− 
Experimental Pain Sensitivity. In order to measure experimental pain sensitivity, a multimodal 
Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) battery will be completed: heat pain (e.g. threshold, tolerance), 
pressure pain threshold, punctate mechanical pain (e.g. suprathreshold ratings and temporal 
summation), and Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM). These measures will be assessed using 
equipment and methods available at the Dr. Ahn’s laboratory, including a Medoc TSA-II 
Neurosensory Analyzer and Wagner pressure algometer. These QST battery will be obtained two 
times: at baseline and at the end of the intervention. 
− 
Pain-related Cortical response. We will measure pain-related cortical response using a continuous- 
wave, multichannel fNIRS imaging system (LIGHTNIRS, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) with three 
semiconductor lasers at 780, 805, and 830 nm. This instrument encompasses 8 light sources and 8 
detectors connected to comfortable headgear using optical fibers. The illumination and detection 
optodes will be arranged in a geometrical layout that will cover the prefrontal and somatosensory 
cortex regions bilaterally, consistent with the locations investigated in previous studies.30,31 In 
addition, a few optical channels will be located to the primary auditory cortex as a control region 
that remains inactive during pain stimulation (i.e., both fNIRS and thermal stimulation devices run 
silently). Optical recordings will be collected during thermal pain stimulation according to the 
following protocol. A temperature-controlled pain generator (Medoc TSA-II Neurosensory Analyzer) 
will be used to produce thermal stimulation through a 1616 mm2 thermode placed onto the index 

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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
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knee. The experimental protocol consists of an initial baseline period of 60 seconds during which no 
thermal stimulation will be applied (i.e., the thermode at room temperature), followed by 20-second 
stimulation at 45oC. This experimental block will be repeated six times, for a total experimental 
duration of 390 seconds that includes a 60-second resting period at the end of the stimulation chain. 
The experimental session will last about 20-25 min, including the brain imager setup time. fNIRS 
data will be obtained at two time points: baseline, at the end of the intervention. 
 
Data and Safety Monitoring 
− 
A data and safety monitoring plan (DSMP) will be implemented to ensure the safety of all 
participants involved in the study and to ensure the validity and integrity of the data. The PI will be 
responsible for coordinating activities of the DSMP, including arranging meetings and 
communication and identifying and reviewing relevant participant materials. The data and safety 
information obtained from each study participant will be reviewed weekly. The primary goal of the 
DSMP will be to monitor the progress of the study and safety of participants and, if necessary, 
recommend modifying the study or terminating the study as appropriate. 
− 
Concerns that might dictate the modification or termination of the study include: participant safety, 
outcome data, data quality, data integrity, intervention efficacy, recruitment, and performance. 
Both the PI and the study staff will review the study weekly and examine reports of adverse 
incidents and reports of study participant recruitment and follow-up. Throughout the study, 
information regarding issues deemed critical to the study or to the safety of research participants 
will be provided to the PI. Upon receiving this critical information, a meeting to discuss this 
information may be convened. Information deemed critical would include: serious and non-serious 
adverse events that may occur, suspicion of scientific fraud or misconduct, and any other issues that 
may warrant protocol changes or modifications. 
− 
The research team will follow the procedures for data safety and monitoring as required by the 
Institutional Review Board at UTHealth. To ensure data integrity and the safety of human subjects, 
all adverse events will be reported to the UTHealth Institutional Review Board. Any subsequent 
recommendations regarding protocol changes will be implemented. In addition, the investigators 
will review the reported adverse events every 3 months and conduct interim data analyses every 6 
months to minimize the risk to the study participants. 
− 
Safety Review Plan. Study progress and safety will be reviewed monthly (and more frequently if 
needed) by the PI. Progress reports, including participant recruitment, retention/attrition, and 
adverse events (AEs), will be provided the UTHealth IRB for annual review. In addition, the reports 
will address (1) whether AE rates are consistent with pre-study assumptions; (2) reasons for 
dropouts from the study; (3) whether all participants met entry criteria; (4) whether continuation of 
the study is justified on the basis that additional data are needed to accomplish the stated aims of 
the study; and (5) conditions whereby the study might be terminated prematurely. 
− 
Monitoring Health and Safety. All the stimulation and testing sessions will be supervised by trained 
research staff who will monitor potential adverse experiences and symptoms. At each stimulation, 
participants will be asked to report any adverse events they have experienced. Specifically, they will 
be asked about any adverse events, including itching, pain, nausea, and headache, they have had. 
− 
Adverse Event Reporting. An adverse event (AE) is any unfavorable and unintended sign, symptom, 
or disease temporally associated with the intervention irrespective of whether it is considered 
related to the intervention. Non-serious AEs are conditions that may be unpleasant and bothersome 
to the participant that do not require discontinuing the study. Serious adverse events (SAEs) are 
events that may be harmful to the participant and/or may be serious enough to warrant either 
temporary or permanent discontinuation of the study intervention, either because they are 

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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
intolerable or because they are judged to be potentially harmful. All SAEs require immediate 
reporting and an assessment of the implications for the continuation of the study and/or 
modification of the consent form. The following are considered SAEs: (1) it is acute or life 
threatening; (2) it results in prolonged, permanent, or severe disability; (3) it is another severe 
illness including worsening of a pre-existing condition, injury, or accident; (4) it is an inpatient 
hospitalization or surgical procedure or a treatment to prevent an SAE; (5) it results in death; and (6) 
it is a clinically significant abnormal laboratory or diagnostic test. 
− 
The PI will evaluate AEs for their seriousness, expectedness, severity, and relationship to the study 
intervention at each study visit. The primary mechanism for ensuring participant safety will be 
clinical observation of symptoms. The study will be conducted and supervised by trained study staff 
and will monitor potential adverse experiences and symptoms. All AEs will also be categorized 
according to the likelihood that they are related to the study intervention. Specifically, they will be 
labeled either definitely, probably, possibly, or unrelated to the study intervention. The classification 
of potential relationship to the intervention is shown in Table below. 
 
Adverse Event (AE) Classification 
Adverse Event (AE) Classification 
Definite 
Temporal pattern + known or expected AE response pattern + confirmed by stopping 
the intervention + reappearance of AE on re-challenge 
Probable 
Temporal pattern + known or expected AE response pattern + confirmed by stopping 
the intervention + could not be explained by participant’s clinical state 
Possible 
Temporal pattern + known or expected AE response pattern + could have been 
produced by a number of other factors 
Unknown 
Relationship for which no evaluation can be made 
Not 
related 
AE for which sufficient information exists to indicate that the cause is unrelated to the 
study intervention 
− SAEs that are unanticipated, serious, and possibly related to the study intervention will be reported 
within 24 hours of the study staff’s knowledge of the SAE to the IRB in accordance with the 
regulatory requirements. Anticipated SAEs or those unrelated to the study intervention will be 
reported to the same individuals/entities in accordance with regulatory requirements. 
− Minor events will be reported to the IRB. Both the PI and the study staff will review the study weekly 
and examine reports of adverse incidents and reports of study participant recruitment and follow- 
up. Throughout the study, information regarding issues deemed critical to the study or to the safety 
of research participants will be provided to the principal investigator and other study investigators 
as needed. As a result of receiving this critical information, a meeting to discuss this information 
may be convened. Information deemed critical would include: (1) serious and non-serious AEs that 
may occur; (2) suspicion of scientific fraud or misconduct; and (3) any other issues which may 
warrant protocol changes or modifications. AE and SAE determination and monitoring will be 
achieved via administration of structured questionnaires. Standardized forms for referring and 
treating study participants who experience AEs will be in place. 
 
Statistics 
− 
This protocol adopts a randomized controlled trial design. A maximum of 30 community-dwelling 
older adults (50-85 years old) with knee osteoarthritis will be enrolled. The treatment group will 
receive tDCS plus meditation, and the control group will receive sham-tDCS with sham-mediation. 
To balance the distributions of subjects’ age, race, and gender between the treatment and control 
groups, a minimization procedure will be adopted. Power calculation is based on two-sample t-test 

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assuming equal variance. For a significance level of 0.05, 15 subjects per group correspond to a 
power of 0.91, given a 25% difference in means between the two groups and a standard deviation of 
20% of the mean. 
− 
Statistical analyses will be performed on data from all enrolled subjects using SAS 9.4. Data will be 
summarized and checked for outliers and missing values before statistical analyses. The descriptive 
statistics will be derived for the feasibility and tolerability measures. The clinical pain intensity 
measures and the experimental pain sensitivity measures will be compared between two groups 
using univariate or multivariate tests (e.g., Wilcoxon rank test). 
 
 
Ethics 
− 
IRB approval will be sought from CPHS. 
− 
Participation in this study is completely voluntary. All participants will be informed of the nature of 
the procedures and associated risks. Also, participants will be informed that they can withdraw from 
the study at any time and that this will have no adverse impact on the study or on their own future 
medical treatment. Subjects will participate in the study only after they provide verbal and signed 
consent. Trained research personnel will obtain consent in a private room where participants feel 
comfortable. Informed consent will be documented in writing via the participants’ and investigators’ 
signatures. 
 
Data handling and record keeping 
− 
Procedure for Collection and Storage of Data. A number of quality control procedures will be used to 
ensure the validity and integrity of the data and the safety of all participants involved in the study. 
Relevant data and safety information obtained from each study participant will be verified against 
the original source documents by the study coordinator and any identified discrepancies will be 
reviewed at these weekly meetings. The primary goal of these meetings will be to monitor the 
progress of the study and safety of participants, and if necessary, recommend modifying the study 
or terminating the study as appropriate. All identifying information will be archived on a password- 
protected server. Only study staff will have access to these files. 
− 
Location of Data Collection. All procedures involving human participants will be performed using 
equipment and resources available at the Dr. Ahn’s (PI’s) laboratory at UTHealth. 
− 
Storage of Collected Data. All electronic data will be stored in password-protected, secured 
computer systems. All paper data will be stored in a locked file cabinet. Only the participant’s study 
identification number will appear on any data forms. Only research team members will have access 
to the completed data forms and electronically stored data. All data will be considered part of the 
participant’s confidential record. All data will remain confidential. A file will be maintained that 
associates the participant’s name with that participant’s study identification number. This file will be 
kept in a locked cabinet separate from the study data. 
− 
Data Entry Requirements. The data entry system will require a login identification and password to 
gain access to the data. Only the PI and designated research staff will be able to view the data in its 
raw state. 
 
Quality control and assurance 
− 
Audit/Verification of Entered Data. All data designated as primary outcome data will be subject to a 
100% cross-referencing between electronic and paper forms. This audit must have an error rate less 
than 1%. If the verification fails the audit, all data will be re-entered, the original computer files will 
be discarded, and the newly re-entered data will be audited. This process will continue until the 

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Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
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audit no longer exceeds the maximum allowable error rate. All audits will be supervised and 
documented by the PI. 
− 
Data Management and Analysis. PI has substantial experience in the design and implementation of 
data management procedures that provide accurate recording and storage of data, participant 
confidentiality, and timely analysis. Based on our experience, we believe that the major data 
management and analysis needs for the proposed project can be met by using a high-end PC, 
equipped with SPSS and SAS for Windows and appropriate spreadsheet programs. All data files will 
be automatically backed up daily. 
− 
Data Quality Control. At the time of collection, there will be an initial clerical review of all data for 
accuracy and completeness. Every effort will be made to ensure that missing data are kept to a 
minimum. Data entry programs with range checking and response validation will be used for all data 
entered. Under supervision from the PI, the research assistant will conduct error-checking 
procedures and preliminary analyses on all data to ensure their accuracy. The research assistant will 
be trained to avoid omissions in data entry, and computer entry protocols will be programmed to 
avoid accidental skipping of question items. We believe that the quality control system to be used 
will ensure a complete and accurate database and will maximize the likelihood that the intervention 
will be delivered correctly and efficiently. 
− 
Frequency of Data Review. Relevant data and safety information obtained from each study 
participant will be verified against the original source documents by the primary study coordinator 
on a bi-weekly basis. As noted above, any identified discrepancies will be discussed with the PI and 
reviewed at weekly meetings. 
− 
Measurement and Reporting of Participant Accrual and Adherence to Eligibility Criteria. Review of 
the rate of participant accrual as well as adherence to inclusion/exclusion criteria will occur weekly 
during the recruitment phase and then every month to assure that participants meet the eligibility 
criteria and ethnic diversity goals outlined in the grant proposal. 
− 
Final Storage of Paper Data. All paper data (e.g., consent forms) will be housed at a facility that 
specializes in the storage of medical/research information. The destruction date of these files will be 
at least 7 years from the termination of the study and will be authorized by the PI of the research 
study. 
− 
Access to Cleaned Computer Data. Once the study is complete, and all data have been collected, 
entered, and passed the audit process, the data will be available to the PI and his designates for 
analysis. Only the PI can give permission for the release of aggregated study data. No confidential 
information may be released without the express written consent of the study participants. Only 
copies of the finalized data will be released. The original data file will remain in its pristine state. 
 
Publication Plan 
− 
We will publish research results at the peer-reviewed journal and/or scientific conferences. After 
completion of the study, results will be returned to research subjects if they want. 

IRB NUMBER: HSC-SN-18-0885 
IRB APPRPOagVeA1L0DATE: 01/03/2019 
UT Houston Protocol Template 
Adapted from NIH protocol template and ICH Guidelines 
of 11 
 
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