Treating central post-stroke pain with targeted ultrasound therapy
Official title: Treating Central Post-Stroke Pain with Transcranial Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (PAINLESS)
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11424778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke University study is testing a non-invasive, focused ultrasound treatment to reduce pain in people who have CPSP after a stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,360,790 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3NS150067-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424778 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with central post-stroke pain due to brain injury affecting motor cortex or thalamus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without CPSP or those not eligible for the ultrasound intervention may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will upgrade a lab ultrasound system to a clinical-grade device and work with the FDA to determine safety and regulatory needs. In the next phase, 24 CPSP patients will participate in a crossover trial comparing different combinations of motor cortex and thalamus stimulation to find the most effective approach. The goal is to provide a precise, non-invasive option for who experience long-lasting post-stroke pain. If successful, this could offer a new pathway to relieve CPSP with fewer risks than invasive procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience meaningful pain relief with a non-invasive treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior neuromodulation approaches showed mixed results; this study builds on those efforts with precise brain-targeting.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feng, Wuwei — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Feng, Wuwei
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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.