~16 spots leftby Jun 2026

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Postoperative Pain

(SPARK Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Overseen byLutz Weise, MD, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Waitlist Available
Sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority
Approved in 3 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This study aims to determine the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation in patients with post intra-thoracic surgery pain syndrome in a placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized clinical trial.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Having informed consent
I have pain after chest surgery.
I am healthy enough for brain surgery.

Exclusion Criteria

History of previous spinal cord stimulation
Presence of electrical or other devices that preclude implantation of a spinal cord stimulator device
Lack of informed consent
+1 more

Participant Groups

This study is looking at how well spinal cord stimulation helps with pain after chest surgery. It's a controlled trial where patients are randomly chosen to receive either the real treatment or a placebo, and then they switch.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Stimulation OnExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Spinal cord stimulators will be optimized to each participant and then programmed to deliver high frequency stimulation below detectable threshold for 6 weeks.
Group II: Stimulation OffPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Spinal cord stimulators will be optimized to each participant as in the experimental arm, and then programmed to deliver no stimulation for 6 weeks.

Spinal Cord Stimulation is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Spinal Cord Stimulation for:
  • Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
  • Adhesive arachnoiditis
  • Peripheral causalgia/neuropathy
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
  • Phantom limb/stump pain
  • Ischemic pain of vascular origin
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Pain after an amputation
  • Visceral abdominal pain and perineal pain
🇪🇺 Approved in European Union as Spinal Cord Stimulation for:
  • Chronic pain
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Spinal cord injury pain
  • Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
  • Adhesive arachnoiditis
  • Peripheral causalgia/neuropathy
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
🇨🇦 Approved in Canada as Spinal Cord Stimulation for:
  • Chronic pain
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Spinal cord injury pain
  • Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
  • Adhesive arachnoiditis
  • Peripheral causalgia/neuropathy
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Queen Elizabeth Health Science CentreHalifax, Canada
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nova Scotia Health AuthorityLead Sponsor

References