Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 and up

Using closed-loop spinal cord stimulation to treat chronic pelvic pain

Official title: Targeting the Conus Medullaris With ECAP-Controlled Closed-Loop SCS for the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain: HOPE Trial

Run by Ainsworth Institute of Pain Management · NCT06413277 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new spinal cord stimulation treatment to see if it can help people with chronic pelvic pain feel better and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment20 (estimated)
SponsorAinsworth Institute of Pain Management
Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 5, 2024
Main results expectedJanuary 1, 2026
Study endsJanuary 1, 2027
Registry record updatedMay 14, 2024
Trial IDNCT06413277 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with chronic intractable pelvic pain that has not responded to conservative treatments for at least six months.

Probably not a fit

Patients with pelvic pain not related to the specified conditions or those who do not meet the pain severity criteria may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP)-controlled closed-loop spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for treating chronic pelvic pain by targeting the conus medullaris in the spine. The study will assess the efficacy of this approach in alleviating pain and improving quality of life, as well as monitor safety and device performance. Participants will undergo a trial procedure followed by a potential permanent implant, with data collected at various time points over a year. The study will enroll up to 20 subjects with chronic, intractable pelvic pain who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce chronic pelvic pain and improve the quality of life for affected patients.

How similar studies have gone: While this specific approach is novel, similar studies using spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain have shown promising results.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is 18 years of age or older at the time of enrollment.
2. Subject has a minimum Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 60 mm or higher (where 100 mm pain) at baseline.
3. Subject has been diagnosed with chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs specifically related to pelvic/genital/perineal/anorectal pain, which has been refractory to conservative therapy for a minimum of 6 months.
4. Subject has pain resulting from a known injury (surgery or trauma).
5. Subject has been clinically diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (pain that occurs in the region of the pelvis), including diagnoses such as, but not limited to, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS types 1 and 2), postsurgical pain, post-traumatic injury pain, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, post-hysterectomy pain, post-prostatectomy pain, vulvodynia, chronic ovarian pain, and pudendal neuralgia of a known cause.
6. Subject is an appropriate candidate for the surgical procedures required in this study based on the clinical judgment of the implanting physician.
7. Subject is willing and capable of giving informed consent.
8. Subject is willing and able to comply with study-related requirements, procedures, and visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is pregnant or nursing.
2. Subject is involved in a malignancy or injury claim under current litigation or has pending/approved worker's compensation claim.
3. Subject's mechanism of pain is unknown.
4. Suspected cause and onset of pain are more than 30 days apart.
5. Subject has history of small fiber neuropathy, mitochondrial disease, fibromyalgia, addiction, CRPS in secondary pain area, and/or atypical facial pain.
6. Subject has been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcerous colitis, or any other inflammatory disease that is ongoing.
7. Subject has a medical condition or pain in other area(s), not intended to be treated with SCS, that could interfere with study procedures, as determined by the Investigator.
8. Subject has a history of sexual abuse and/or sexual trauma.
9. Subject has a history of unmanaged depression or anxiety that pre-dates the onset of symptoms.
10. Subject is using greater than 100 MME (morphine milligram equivalents) of opioids at baseline.
11. Subject shows evidence of an active, disruptive psychological or psychiatric disorder or other known condition significant enough to impact perception of pain, compliance of intervention, and/or ability to evaluate treatment outcomes.
12. Subject has previous neuromodulation experience including SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulator) and/or DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion).
13. Subject has an existing drug pump and/or SCS system, or another active implantable device such as a pacemaker, deep brain stimulator, or sacral nerve stimulator.
14. Subject is concomitantly participating in another clinical study.

Where it's running

  • Ainsworth Institute of Pain Management
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Corey W Hunter, MD, FIPP — Ainsworth Institute of Pain Management
  • Study coordinator: Zoey Smith
  • Email: zsmith@ainpain.com
  • Phone: (212) 203 2813

Similar studies

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

  • Personalized Exercise Recommendations for Chronic Pelvic Pain

    This study tests if an AI-powered, personalized exercise plan can help people with chronic pelvic pain see if tailored workouts work better than standard guidance.

    Recruiting Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, New York · NCT07810218

  • SoLá Pelvic Therapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain: A real-world registry

    This registry collects real-world data on using transvaginal photobiomodulation with SoLá Pelvic Therapy to help adults with chronic pelvic pain.

    Recruiting SoLa Pelvic Therapy · Melbourne, Florida · NCT07799857

  • Pelvic Floor Therapy plus Exercise for Endometriosis-Related Pelvic Pain

    This 12-week study tests whether specialized pelvic floor physical therapy plus a structured exercise program helps reduce chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis more than a placebo version of pelvic floor therapy plus the same exercise plan.

    Recruiting Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre · Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul · NCT07733583

  • Pelvic Floor Function and Endometriosis-Related Pelvic Pain in Women

    This study will look at whether endometriosis-related pelvic pain is linked to pelvic floor muscle strength and related factors in women aged 18–50, comparing them with healthy controls.

    Recruiting University of Pecs · Pécs, Baranya · NCT07713108

  • Educational podcast for people with chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis

    This project will test whether giving adults with chronic pelvic pain or endometriosis access to an educational podcast along with their usual care helps improve quality of life, reduce stigma, or increase satisfaction with care compared with usual care alone.

    Recruiting Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, Tennessee · NCT07568834

  • How bladder microbes and immune signals affect lower urinary tract health

    This project will test whether differences in bladder microbes and immune signals are linked to urinary tract health in adults with and without various urinary conditions.

    Recruiting University of Zurich · Zurich, Canton of Zurich · NCT07494864

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.