tACS for Neuropathic Pain After SCI

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Sheng Li, MD, PhD | McGovern Medical School

Overseen bySheng Li, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The overall goal is to investigate the effectiveness of a novel intervention - transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for neuropathic pain management in people after spinal cord injury.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals aged 18-75 who have neuropathic pain following a traumatic spinal cord injury, amputation, or brain injury and have been stable on oral pain medications for at least two weeks. It's not suitable for those with pacemakers, metal implants, unstable medical conditions, non-neuropathic pain like inflammation from surgery wounds, arm amputations, psychiatric disorders currently adjusting their pain meds or with substance abuse issues.

Inclusion Criteria

I have nerve pain from a spinal cord injury, amputation, or brain injury.

I am between 18 and 75 years old.

I have been on a stable dose of oral pain medication for at least two weeks.

See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

You do not show any movement in your arm muscles when tested with TMS.

I have asthma or another lung condition.

Patient is not medically stable

See 7 more

Treatment Details

Interventions

tACS 10Hz (Procedure)
tACS 20Hz (Procedure)
tACS Sham (Procedure)

Trial OverviewThe study tests the effectiveness of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in managing neuropathic pain after spinal cord injuries. Participants will receive either a sham (fake) treatment or real tACS at different frequencies (10Hz or 20Hz) to see if there's an improvement in their pain levels.

Participant Groups

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: "tACS Sham, tACS 10Hz, tACS 20Hz" experimental orderExperimental Treatment3 Interventions

1. tACS Sham is a temporary non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp for up to 30 second, it is not designed to entrain neuronal activity into any external regulatory frequency patterns. 2. tACS 10Hz is a 10Hz non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp or 20 or 40 minutes to entrain neuronal activity into 10Hz frequency patterns. 3. tACS 20Hz is a 20Hz non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp for 20 or 40 minutes to entrain neuronal activity into 20Hz frequency patterns.

Group II: "HD-tACS 20Hz, HD-tACS 10Hz, HD-tACS Sham" experimental orderExperimental Treatment3 Interventions

1. tACS 20Hz is a 20Hz non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp for 20 or 40 minutes to entrain neuronal activity into 20Hz frequency patterns. 2. tACS 10Hz is a 10Hz non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp or 20 or 40 minutes to entrain neuronal activity into 10Hz frequency patterns. 3. tACS Sham is a temporary non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp for up to 30 second, it is not designed to entrain neuronal activity into any external regulatory frequency patterns.

Group III: "HD-tACS 10Hz, HD-tACS 20Hz, HD-tACS Sham" experimental orderExperimental Treatment3 Interventions

1. tACS 10Hz is a 10Hz non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp or 20 or 40 minutes to entrain neuronal activity into 10Hz frequency patterns. 2. tACS 20Hz is a 20Hz non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp for 20 or 40 minutes to entrain neuronal activity into 20Hz frequency patterns. 3. tACS Sham is a temporary non-invasive electrical stimulation that applies a weak oscillatory current to the brain through the scalp for up to 30 second, it is not designed to entrain neuronal activity into any external regulatory frequency patterns.