tACS for neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

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 study tests different tACS settings to see if they reduce neuropathic pain in adults with spinal cord injury. Participants will be assigned to sham stimulation, 10 Hz tACS, or 20 Hz tACS to compare pain outcomes. The trial will start with SCI patients and may expand to other populations if feasible. Eligible participants are adults ages 18–75 with chronic neuropathic pain lasting more than 3 months who are stable on oral pain medications. Key exclusions include non-neuropathic pain, pacemakers or implants, arm amputations, inability to follow commands, or recent changes in pain therapy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion/exclusion criteria for SCI subjects

Inclusion criteria: A patient who

1. has neuropathic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury or amputation or brain injury;
2. has chronic pain, \>3 months;
3. is between 18 to 75 years of age;
4. is stable on oral pain medications at least two weeks. Patients are allowed to continue their pain medications, i.e., no change in pain medications.

NOTE: we plan to begin the study with the spinal cord injury (SCI) subject population as a cohort first, then expand to other subject populations

Exclusion criteria: Patients will be excluded if they

1. are currently adjusting oral pain medications for their neuropathic pain;
2. have pain, but not neuropathic, e.g., from inflammation at the incision wound of the residual limb or neuroma;
3. have a pacemaker metal implants or supplemental oxygen;
4. have amputation in their arm(s);
5. fail to have a motor contraction in the arm muscles with TMS;
6. are not able to follow commands, or to give consent;
7. have asthma or other pulmonary disease;
8. are not medically stable;
9. have preexisting psychiatric disorders;
10. alcohol or drug abuse.

Where it's running

• The University of Texas Health Science Center
  Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Sheng Li, MD, Ph.D — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Study coordinator: Sheng Li, MD, Ph.D
• Email: sheng.li@uth.tmc.edu
• Phone: (713) 797-7125

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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.