Neuropathic Pain Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Neuropathic Pain Trials?

The most generally accepted definition of Neuropathic-Pain is pain started by a lesion or the somatosensory system (the system being damaged which provides the ability to feel sensations (pressure, pain, touch, position, movement, vibration, cold, or warmth).

The cause of neuropathic pain is damage to the nerves, which are on the outside of the spinal cord and brain, known as the peripheral nerves. Nerve functions may be altered, and the damaged nerve fibers send an incorrect signal to the pain centers.

Peripheral nerves spread throughout the body to the organs, arms, hands, torso, legs, feet, and others.

It is not always easy to trace the cause of Neuropathic-Pain, and hundreds of diseases have been observed to cause the condition.

Symptoms can include.

• Spontaneous pain, which occurs for no cause.
• Pain from previously benign sensations, such as smooth bedsheets or changes in temperature.
• Sleep difficulties are caused by the change in sensations.

Why Is Neuropathic Pain Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

It is estimated that up to 10% of the population suffers from symptoms that describe Neuropathic-Pain.

While it is not generally life-threatening or limiting, neuropathic pain can be a degenerative nerve condition with often poor outcomes in long-term treatment.

What Are The Types Of Treatments Available For Neuropathic Pain?

Treatments for most types of Neuropathic-Pain tend to focus on symptom management rather than a long-term cure.

The aims of treatment are.

• Treatment of the underlying disease (e.g., Diabetes, Radiation To Reduce A Tumor Which Is Pressing On A Nerve, Alcoholism. Shingles, Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis)
• Pain management.
• Improve the patient’s life quality.
• To help the patient continue to be functional.

Examples Of Current Neuropathic Pain Trials

Three examples of current neuropathic-pain trials are listed below.

Testing The Efficacy Of Using Spinal Cord Stimulation To Reduce Neuropathic Pain

This study will focus on establishing how effective Spinal Cord Stimulation is in reducing Neuropathic-Pain. The study will also focus on how spinal cord stimulation affects the patient's psychological well-being regarding anxiety and depression.

Testing The Effect Of Methadone On Patients Suffering With Neuropathic Pain

Opioids are used as a third-line treatment to reduce Neuropathic-Pain. The typical Opioids used are Morphine, Tramadol, and Oxycodone. This study aims to test how effective Methadone is when prescribed in 5mg doses taken twice a day. Where necessary, up to 6 tablets doses will be administered per day.

Using Ketamine To Treat Neuropathic

This study aims to test the efficacy of using Ketamine for pain relief. The Ketamine will be tested against the following groups – Ketamine only, Ketamine, and magnesium sulfate against a placebo.

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For Neuropathic Pain?

Clinical trials focusing on neuropathic pain have been performed as follows.

2021: Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy – Following successful clinical trials, the FDA has approved the use of the Intellis™ rechargeable neurostimulator and Vanta™ recharge-free neurostimulator.

2023: Using intraneural facilitation to treat patients who are suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. The trial confirmed that Intraneural Facilitation (INF) treatment is an effective method of restoring blood flow to damaged nerves and therefore reducing pain levels in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Who Are Some Of The Key Opinion Leaders / Researchers Conducting Neuropathic Pain Clinical Trial Research?

Mark R. Bussell, DPT, Assistant Research Professor, Allied Health Studies, Loma Linda University.

Richard P. Winne Jr., MD Altair Health Spine & Wellness Center

Martyn Goulding, Ph.D. Salk Institute for Biological Studies, CA