Closed-loop spinal cord stimulation for painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Assessment of Effectiveness of Closed-loop Spinal Cord Stimulation (CL-SCS) Therapy on Pain Reduction and Improvement of Quality of Life in Patients With Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Rijnstate Hospital · NCT07304401

This observational project will try closed-loop spinal cord stimulation to reduce neuropathic pain in adults who developed peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorRijnstate Hospital (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations5 sites (Arnhem and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07304401 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study follows adults with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy who are already scheduled to receive the Evoke closed-loop spinal cord stimulation (CL-SCS) system. The CL-SCS device delivers pulses to the dorsal columns, records evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) and automatically adjusts stimulation in real time for each pulse. Participants must have persistent neuropathic pain (≥5/10) at least six months after chemotherapy and have failed medications and minimally invasive pain treatments. Outcomes will track pain intensity and quality-of-life measures to describe the real-world effectiveness of CL-SCS in this population across several Dutch hospitals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with CIPN at least six months after chemotherapy, persistent neuropathic pain ≥5/10, deemed suitable for Evoke SCS implantation and who have not had satisfactory relief from medications or minimally invasive pain treatments are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with recent chemotherapy (<6 months), low pain scores, active contraindications to SCS, ongoing uncontrolled cancer treatment, pregnancy, or inability to undergo implantation are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, CL-SCS could provide better and more consistent pain relief and improve quality of life for people with refractory chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

How similar studies have performed: Open-loop spinal cord stimulation has shown pain and quality-of-life benefits for some patients with painful CIPN, while closed-loop SCS is a newer approach with promising but less extensive real-world evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* Subject is deemed a suitable candidate for SCS implantation and has been routinely scheduled to undergo an SCS implantation with the Evoke SCS System.
* Subject has a minimum of leg or arm pain intensity of 5/10 on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at baseline due to CIPN.
* Patients with CIPN following chemotherapy and at least 6 months post-treatment
* CIPN symptoms for a minimum duration of 3 months.
* Patient deemed to be in remission per discretion of treating oncologist
* No existing contraindications for SCS
* Subject is ≥ 18 years old.
* Subject is not pregnant or nursing.
* Subject is willing and capable of giving informed consent.
* No satisfactory treatment effect with anti-neuropathic medication or intolerable side-effects
* No satisfactory treatment effect with minimal invasive pain treatments (including ketamine or lidocaine infusion therapy)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient refusal to be included in study
* Patients unwilling or mentally incapable to complete the study questionnaires
* Other causes of neuropathy (for example diabetic- or small fiber neuropathy)
* Previous treatment with SCS for CIPN
* Presence of another pain syndrome unrelated to CIPN
* History of lower limb amputation or ulceration
* Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40
* Severe psychiatric or neurological disorders
* Any other contra indication for locoregional anaesthesia

Where this trial is running

Arnhem and 4 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Neuropathic Pain, CIPN, Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, Spinal Cord Stimulation, SCS, Closed-Loop, neuropathic pain

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.