rTMS for Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Chantel Debert | INTEGRATED CONCUSSION ...

Overseen byChantel T Debert, MD MSc FRCPC CSCN

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Calgary

No Placebo Group

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This study aims to determine if repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve pain symptomology in adults with neuropathic pain (NP) following a spinal cord injury (SCI).

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-75 with neuropathic pain lasting at least 3 months due to a spinal cord injury. Candidates must not have other conditions causing the pain, no prior TMS therapy, and no contraindications like pacemakers, metal implants in the head, seizures, severe psychiatric disorders, or uncontrolled major diseases.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with nerve pain for at least 3 months.

I am between 18 and 75 years old.

I have a spinal cord injury diagnosed by a doctor.

+1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have previously undergone TMS therapy.

I do not have a pacemaker, metal implants, serious brain issues, seizures, severe mental health issues, recent suicide attempts, liver or kidney disease, cancer, uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes, and I am not pregnant.

Participant Groups

The study tests whether repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) can relieve neuropathic pain in individuals who've suffered a spinal cord injury. rTMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will undergo high frequency rTMS sessions 5 days a week for 4 weeks (20 treatments total). Treatment intensity will be applied at 100-120% of the participant's resting motor threshold. The neurostimulation protocol will be 10 trains of 60 pulses (600 pulses total) at a frequency of 10 Hz, with inter-train interval of 45-seconds. The rTMS will be administered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) which will be located using Montreal Neurologic Institute (MNI) coordinates (-50, 30, 36) on a standardized brain. Participants will be seated in a comfortable chair or their wheelchair for each rTMS session.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Japan for the following indications:

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as rTMS for: