Telefitting spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain management

The Teaspoon Study - Telefitting Spinal Cord Stimulation for Pain

Not applicable Interventional University of Minnesota · NCT05741788

This study is testing different types of spinal cord stimulation to see which one helps people with chronic back pain feel better.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages22 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Minnesota Academic / other
Locations1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT05741788 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of different spinal cord stimulation patterns in patients scheduled for treatment of chronic back pain or radiculopathy. Participants will undergo a structured optimization process where they will experience various stimulation types (tonic, burst, and multistim) while being blinded to the specific type used. Over four months, participants will report their daily pain scores to determine which stimulation pattern provides the most significant pain relief. The study aims to improve the success rate of spinal cord stimulation by identifying the most effective stimulation settings for individual patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 22 and older who are scheduled to undergo spinal cord stimulation and have a baseline pain rating of 6 or higher.

Not a fit: Patients who are scheduled for permanent implantation without a trial or those with existing neurostimulators may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

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

How similar studies have performed: While spinal cord stimulation is a well-established treatment, this specific approach of optimizing stimulation patterns through a blinded evaluation is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 22 years of age or older
* Scheduled to undergo spinal cord stimulation
* English speaker
* Baseline pain rating (NRS/VAS) \>=6

Exclusion Criteria:

* Scheduled for permanent implantation only without trial
* Presence of pacemakers or other neurostimulators
* Pregnant
* Inability to read or use smart phone
* Individuals who are unable to consent
* Employees or students of PI
* Prisoners

Where this trial is running

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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 Spinal Cord InjuriesChronic Pain
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.