Using BurstDR stimulation to treat painful diabetic neuropathy

BurstDRTM Spinal Cord Dorsal Column Stimulation for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

This study is testing if a special type of spinal cord stimulation, along with regular medical care, can help people with painful diabetic neuropathy feel better.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 22 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)
• Trial ID: NCT05985291 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to collect real-world data on the safety and effectiveness of BurstDR spinal cord stimulation combined with conservative medical management for patients suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy. Participants will be monitored for treatment outcomes over time, providing valuable insights into this approach. The study seeks to establish the first clinical evidence regarding the use of spinal cord stimulation in managing this condition.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 22 and older with lower extremity painful diabetic neuropathy that has not responded to standard medications.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been diagnosed with painful diabetic neuropathy or those whose condition is well-managed with existing treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve pain management for patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in the context of painful diabetic neuropathy, similar neurostimulation techniques have shown promise in other pain management studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of lower extremity Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) with symptoms for at least a year prior to signing the consent form
* PDN refractory to FDA approved medications: duloxetine, pregabalin, tapentadol, and capscaicin
* Lower limb pain intensity of 5 cm or more on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS)
* HbA1c ≤10%
* BMI \<45 kg/m2
* Be 22 years of age or older at the time of enrollment
* Be an appropriate candidate for the surgical procedures required in this study based on the clinical judgment of the implanting physician
* Be capable of subjective evaluation, able to read and understand English-written questionnaires, and able to read, understand and sign the written informed consent in English
* Be willing and capable of giving informed consent
* Be willing and able to comply with study-related requirements, procedures, and scheduled visits
* Have adequate cognitive ability to use a patient programmer and recharger as determined by the Investigator
* Be on a stable analgesic regimen, as determined by the Investigator, for at least 30 days prior to assessing pain intensity, and be willing to stay on those medications with no dose adjustments until activation of the permanently implanted SCS device
* Have stable neurological status measured by motor, sensory and reflex function as determined by the investigator

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current daily opioid dosage greater than 120 mg morphine equivalents
* Have an average pain intensity of ≥ 3 out of 10 cm on the VAS in the upper extremities due to diabetic neuropathy at enrollment
* Have a diagnosis of a lower limb mononeuropathy (e.g., causalgia and tibial or peroneal neuropathies), have had a lower limb amputation other than toes due to diabetes, or have large (≥3 cm) and/or gangrenous ulcers of the lower limbs.
* Have a current diagnosis of a progressive neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, rapidly progressive arachnoiditis, brain or spinal cord tumor, central deafferentation syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, acute herniating disc, severe spinal stenosis and brachial plexus injury, as determined by the Investigator
* Have a current diagnosis or condition such as a coagulation disorder, bleeding diathesis, platelet dysfunction, low platelet count, severely diminished functional capacity due to underlying cardiac/pulmonary disease, symptomatic uncontrolled hypertension, progressive peripheral vascular disease or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus that presents excess risk for performing the procedure, as determined clinically by the Investigator
* Be benefitting from an interventional procedure and/or surgery to treat lower limb pain (Subjects should be enrolled at least 30 days from last benefit).
* Have an existing intrathecal pain pump and/or another active implantable device such as a pacemaker
* Have a condition currently requiring or likely to require the use of diathermy or MRI that is inconsistent with ProclaimTM system guidelines in the Physician's Manual
* Have either a metastatic malignant neoplasm or untreated local malignant neoplasm
* Have a life expectancy of less than one year
* Have within 6 months of enrollment a significant untreated addiction to dependency producing medications, alcohol or illicit drugs
* Be concomitantly participating in another clinical study
* Be involved in an injury claim under current litigation
* Be a recipient of temporary Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits due to chronic pain
* Have a pending or approved worker's compensation claim
* Have evidence of an active disruptive psychological or psychiatric disorder or other known condition significant enough to impact perception of pain, compliance with intervention and/or ability to evaluate treatment outcome, as determined by a psychologist in the last 12 months

Where this trial is running

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

• Aurora Health Oshkosh — Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mansoor Aman, MD — Aurora Healthcare
• Study coordinator: Merve Buluk Figueira, MS

Conditions Painful Diabetic Neuropathy; neurostimulation; spinal cord stimulation; burst stimulation