Understanding how spinal cord stimulation helps manage chronic pain

CRCNS: Model-Based Characterization of spinal cord stimulation for pain

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10641966

This study is looking at how well spinal cord stimulation can help people with chronic pain who haven't found relief from other treatments, and it will involve some participants receiving a placebo to see how the treatment really works.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10641966 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a treatment for chronic pain, particularly for patients who have not found relief from conventional therapies. The study will involve a placebo-controlled approach to better understand how SCS works and its potential benefits. By assessing pain processing in the spinal cord and brain, researchers aim to clarify the mechanisms behind SCS and its impact on pain relief. Patients participating in this research will undergo SCS treatment while their pain responses are carefully monitored and analyzed.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience chronic pain and have not responded well to other treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with acute pain or those who have not yet tried conventional pain management therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for individuals suffering from chronic pain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using neurostimulation therapies for pain management, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.