Using brain stimulation to relieve chronic pain in older adults
Relieving Chronic Pain in Older Adults With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
This study is testing if a type of brain stimulation can help older adults with chronic pain feel better compared to a fake treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Montreal, Quebec and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05617027 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reducing chronic pain in older adults compared to a placebo treatment. It is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial involving 150 seniors aged 65 and older with moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain. Participants will receive either real tDCS or a placebo treatment over five consecutive days, with follow-ups at one week and three months post-treatment to assess pain intensity and related outcomes. The study is conducted across five rehabilitation clinics in three regions of Quebec.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are seniors aged 65 years or older suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain of moderate to severe intensity.
Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to tDCS or those taking specific medications that affect the treatment's efficacy may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive method to significantly reduce chronic pain in older adults, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While the clinical efficacy of tDCS in older adults has yet to be confirmed, similar studies have shown promise in pain management using this technique.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Be aged ≥ 65 years * Have chronic (≥ 6 months) musculoskeletal pain of moderate to severe intensity (≥4 out of 10 on a numerical scale of 0 to 10) Exclusion Criteria: * Those with contraindications to tDCS * Those with contraindications to TMS * Those with contraindications to IRM * Individuals for whom the procedure could cause impairment of well-being, or has another medical condition that could put them at risk in the judgment of a health care professional. * Patients taking medications that act on the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems (modulating tDCS effects) will be excluded * Individuals taking other types of medications or receiving rehabilitation are not excluded but will be asked, in the absence of clinical contraindication, to avoid any modification (e.g., new treatment, discontinuation, or change in dose) during the study. * People with epilepsy and seizures will not be excluded from the study. The research team will simply be asked to pay closer attention to these participants during the administration of MST.
Where this trial is running
Montreal, Quebec and 2 other locations
- Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM) — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval — Québec, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)
- Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement (CdRV) — Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Guillume Léonard — Université de Sherbrooke
- Study coordinator: Marie-Philippe Harvey, Ph. D
- Email: marie.philippe.harvey@usherbrooke.ca
- Phone: 819 821-8000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.