Pain relief after stroke: spinal cord stimulation plus medicines vs medicines alone

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 interventional study compares two treatment approaches for central post-stroke pain. Participants receive either spinal cord stimulation combined with gabapentinoids (with optional antidepressants) or gabapentinoids alone (with optional antidepressants). The primary outcome is short-term analgesic effect measured by the Numerical Rating Scale immediately after treatment. Eligible adults have chronic CPSP with neuropathic features and a confirmed stroke, with follow-up planned for at least six months. The study is conducted at Nanchong Central Hospital in Sichuan, under local leadership, with no listed collaborators.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) criteria
* Clear history of stroke confirmed by cranial CT or MRI
* Pain occurring after stroke and distributed in body parts corresponding to central nervous system injury
* Pain with neuropathic characteristics (e.g., burning sensation, electric shock sensation, needle prick sensation)
* Pain not explained by other causes
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Pain duration ≥ 3 months
* Baseline pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4 points
* Complete clinical data with follow-up time ≥ 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of chronic pain before stroke
* Severe cognitive impairment that prevents cooperation with pain assessment (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE \< 15 points)
* Contraindications to spinal cord stimulation (SCS), such as coagulation disorders, active infections, or mental diseases that prevent cooperation
* Malignant tumors or other severe organic diseases with expected survival \< 1 year

Where it's running

• Nanchong Central Hospital
  Nanchong, Sichuan, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Zhenguo Gao
• Email: gaozhenguo0822@163.com
• Phone: 18404999336

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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.