Using body illusions and brain stimulation to treat pain in 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 investigates the effectiveness of combining bodily illusions with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to alleviate neuropathic pain and improve sensory functions in individuals with spinal cord injuries. Participants aged 18-70 with moderate to severe neuropathic pain will be recruited for the intervention. The study aims to explore how these multisensory techniques can impact pain management and sensory perception in this population. The approach is innovative, focusing on the integration of sensory experiences and brain stimulation.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

The study will be open to people of any ethnicity, racial background, and gender.

Inclusion criteria:

SCI with Pain:

1. Men or women
2. fluent in English
3. 18-70 years of age who have: (3a) Complete and incomplete SCI, level of injury (above L1); (3b) Persistent neuropathic pain started after the injury for a minimum of three months prior to entering the study that is at least moderate in severity, defined as ≥ 4 on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging 0 to 10.

Exclusion criteria:

Participants will be excluded if they have:

1. Major psychiatric disease/disorder (self-reported);
2. a significant neurological trauma (self-reported) other than SCI;
3. a recent (one-year) history of alcohol or drug abuse assessed by the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10)
4. history of visual and hearing loss not corrected
5. history of epilepsy or seizures
6. any metal implants in the head, or implanted devices such as cochlea implants or cardiac pacemakers.

We will not include any special population like:

Adults unable to consent Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) Pregnant women Prisoners

Where it's running

• University of Miami
  Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Eva Widerstrom-Noga, PhD — University of Miami
• Study coordinator: Eva Widerstrom-Noga, PhD
• Email: ewiderstrom-noga@med.miami.edu
• Phone: (305)243-7125

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Neuropathic Pain from Spinal Cord Injuries

  This study is testing if a non-invasive brain treatment called rTMS can help reduce neuropathic pain and improve quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries.

  Recruiting Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University · Afyonkarahisar · NCT06726954

• New treatment for neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients

  This study is testing a new oral medication called EC5026 to see if it can safely help people with spinal cord injuries manage their nerve pain.

  Recruiting Phase 1 EicOsis Human Health Inc. · Augusta, Georgia · NCT06438471

• Virtual reality walking game for neuropathic pain relief in spinal cord injury patients

  This study tests if a virtual reality walking game can help adults with spinal cord injuries and ongoing nerve pain feel better.

  Recruiting Texas A&M University · College Station, Texas · NCT06330181

• Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

  This study is testing whether a type of brain stimulation called rTMS can help reduce neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injuries.

  Recruiting Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University · Afyonkarahisar · NCT05645003

• Training leg reflexes to reduce neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

  This study is testing whether training leg reflexes can help reduce neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injuries.

  Recruiting Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT05492188

• Using virtual reality walking games to help with neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients

  This study is testing whether playing virtual reality walking games can help adults with spinal cord injuries and ongoing nerve pain feel better.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Texas A&M University · Birmingham, Alabama and 2 other locations · NCT05005026

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.