Improving spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain relief
Novel Stimulation Patterns to Improve the Effectiveness of Spinal Cord Stimulation
This study is exploring new ways to use spinal cord stimulation to help people with chronic pain feel better by changing the stimulation patterns, which might work better than the usual method that stays the same.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10732537 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates new patterns of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to enhance pain relief for patients suffering from chronic pain. The current method uses fixed pulse patterns, which can lead to limited effectiveness and tolerance over time. The study proposes using time-varying pulse patterns that adapt stimulation parameters dynamically, potentially improving the quality and location of pain relief. By analyzing how these new patterns affect nerve responses, the research aims to provide a more effective non-drug treatment option for chronic pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain who have not found relief through traditional pain management methods.
Not a fit: Patients with acute pain conditions or those who do not have spinal cord stimulation devices may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management options for patients with chronic pain, reducing reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have shown promising results with similar time-varying stimulation approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel method.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Viswanathan, Ashwin — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Viswanathan, Ashwin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.