Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 22 and up

Optimizing spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain relief

Official title: Improving Spinal Cord Stimulation With ECAPS

Run by University of Minnesota · NCT04938245 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new way to personalize spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain by measuring how it affects the nerves in patients with spinal cord implants.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages22 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment15 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Minnesota
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 18, 2021
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsDecember 31, 2026
Registry record updatedDecember 17, 2025
Trial IDNCT04938245 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are medically stable patients scheduled for externalization of spinal cord stimulation who are English-speaking.

Probably not a fit

Patients scheduled for permanent implantation without a trial or those with pacemakers or other neurostimulators may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This study investigates the optimization of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) using evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) in patients with spinal cord implants. SCS has been utilized for over 50 years to manage chronic pain by modulating spinal cord activity, yet personalization of therapy remains a challenge. The study aims to address this by measuring the effects of stimulation on spinal circuits through ECAPs, which may provide insights into individual pain circuits and improve treatment outcomes. Participants will be monitored during their scheduled externalization of spinal cord stimulation to assess the efficacy of this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized and effective pain management strategies for patients with chronic pain.

How similar studies have gone: While spinal cord stimulation has been widely used, the specific approach of utilizing ECAPs for optimization is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Medically stable as determined by the principal investigator
* Scheduled to undergo externalization of spinal cord stimulation
* English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

* Scheduled for permanent implantation only without trial
* Have pacemakers or other neurostimulators
* Pregnancy

Where it's running

  • University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: David Darrow, MD, MPH — University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Neurosurgery
  • Study coordinator: David Darrow, MD, MPH
  • Email: darro015@umn.edu
  • Phone: (612)-634-6666

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.