Medullary stimulation for treating severe neck pain

Evaluation of Multimodal Medullary Stimulation in Refractory Neck and Upper Limb Pain

Not applicable Interventional Nantes University Hospital · NCT05398003

This study is testing a new spinal cord stimulation device to see if it can help people with severe neck pain that hasn't responded to other treatments.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment12 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorNantes University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Nantes)
Trial IDNCT05398003 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the use of the WAVEWRITER ALPHA™ system for patients suffering from refractory neck pain. It is a randomized, prospective study conducted at a single center, CHU Nantes, over a total duration of 34 months, with a recruitment period of 24 months. Participants will receive different modes of spinal cord stimulation, including tonic, burst, and high-frequency stimulation, to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing pain. The follow-up period for each patient will last between 7 to 10 months.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 85 with chronic neck and upper limb pain who can provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with drug or alcohol abuse issues, significant medical or psychological problems, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce chronic neck pain for patients who have not responded to other treatments.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific application of medullary stimulation for refractory neck pain is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

* Patients aged 18 to 85 years
* Patients with chronic neck and upper limb pain (according to HAS criteria for spinal cord stimulation)
* Patients must be able to give informed consent and must have signed an informed consent
* Affiliation to the health insurance
* A negative pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential
* Women of childbearing potential must use an appropriate contraceptive method(s) during the clinical trial

Non-inclusion criteria:

* Drug or alcohol abuse
* Any medical or psychological problem that may interfere with the proper conduct of the study protocol (e.g., cancer with limited life expectancy)
* Difficulty with follow-up
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women
* Women of childbearing potential who are not using contraception
* Adults under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship, "sauvegarde de justice") or deprived of liberty
* Exclusion period for another study
* Participation in another interventional study whose primary objective is based on pain.

Exclusion criteria:

\- 7-day post-implantation test phase negative

Where this trial is running

Nantes

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.
Conditions Pain, IntractableMedullary stimulationrefractory neck pain
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.