Open USA Massachusetts:Spaulding Fibromyalgia study

From the latest Massachusetts ME/CFS and FM Association:

DO YOU SUFFER FROM FIBROMYALGIA?
This research study investigates whether a method of non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) combined with physical exercise can help pain processing in adults with fibromyalgia.
This research study requires 22 visits over 4.5 months to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network in Cambridge, MA.

Requirements:
Fibromyalgia for 6+ months
18 - 65 years old
Earn $15 per visit for your participation.
For more information, please contact the Spaulding Neuromodulation Center
Phone at: (617) 952-6158 E-mail: epichardo@partners.org

Maybe someone can find out if the research design is likely to produce an outcome that can be trusted? I'd be surprised if it is.

 

The protocol looks like they're making a good attempt to be thorough, with 4 groups using real and sham brain stimulation and real and sham aerobic exercise. They are also measuring objective pain and other features during and after the treatment.

My main concern is whether any effect they find lasts, or needs to be topped up daily, since the treatment seems to be 5 days a week for 22 treatments, and the final follow up is not long after the final treatment. If attending a clinic to repeat treatment daily with monitoring etc, is needed to sustain any effect, then I can't see how it could be cost effective.