Neuromodulation for treating neuropathic pain and depression

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This project investigates the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients suffering from both neuropathic pain and depression. It employs a cross-over design where participants will undergo four sessions of rTMS targeting either the primary motor cortex (M1) or the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), followed by a wash-out period and then sessions targeting the alternate site. The study aims to assess the efficacy of DLPFC rTMS in alleviating neuropathic pain while also evaluating changes in mood, quality of life, and pain catastrophizing. The study is designed for patients who have not found relief from standard pain medications.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Central or peripheral neuropathic pain
* Chronic pain (present for more than 6 months) with intensity greater than or equal to 4/10 on the numerical scale
* Pain present on a daily or near-daily basis (at least 4 days a week)
* Patient not completely relieved by recommended drug treatments for first- and second-line neuropathic pain
* Stable analgesic treatment (no new treatment or dosage adjustment) for at least one month, and will not need to be modified for the duration of the study.
* Patient with a depressive episode characterized according to DSM V criteria
* Indication for motor cortex rTMS by a neurologist
* Patient can be followed for the entire duration of the study
* Patient having received informed consent to participate in the study, and having co-signed a consent form with the investigator
* Member or beneficiary of a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria:

* Industrial accident or litigation
* Contraindication to rTMS or MRI (seismotherapy treatment since the previous month; epilepsy and/or history of epilepsy; history of head trauma; neurosurgical lesion; intracranial hypertension; intracerebral metal clip; piercing; pacemaker; insulin pump; metal prosthesis; pregnant or breast-feeding woman; claustrophobia)
* Drug or psychoactive substance abuse
* Neuropathic pain in the context of a progressive pathology (HIV, cancer, systemic disease disease)
* Presence of other pain more severe than that justifying inclusion
* Patient unable to understand informed consent
* Patient unwilling or unable to stop treatments prohibited during the study
* Patient participating in another research protocol involving a drug within the 30 days prior to inclusion
* Patient deprived of liberty or under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship, safeguard of justice safeguard, family safeguard)
* Minor patient

Where it's running

• CHU de Saint-Etienne
  Saint-Etienne, France Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Roland PEYRON, PhD
• Email: roland.peyron@univ-st-etienne.fr
• Phone: (0)4 77 12 78 05

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.