Fig. 2: Rational design of clinical trials using tACS.
Top: rational of a tACS intervention comprises 1 target identification (based on known correlations between EEG oscillation features and symptoms), 2 target engagement (demonstration of successful modulation of oscillatory network target), and 3 target validation (demonstration of clinical improvements correlating with change in oscillations by tACS). Bottom: results from a tACS study of target engagement and symptom modulation in patients with chronic low-back pain. In this case, the network oscillation target was pathologically reduced alpha oscillations (top-down inhibition) in the somatosensory-motor cortical pain network60.
