25 Participants Needed

IPRP + rTMS for Chronic Pain

JV
Overseen ByJillian V Miller, PhD
Age: < 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Calgary
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 2 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does exclude those who need to wean off opioids. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for chronic pain?

Research suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can help relieve chronic pain, although the effects may be temporary. Some studies show that rTMS can reduce pain in conditions like neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, and regular sessions over several weeks might lead to longer-lasting relief.12345

Is rTMS safe for humans?

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is generally considered safe for humans, with studies showing it can provide pain relief without significant adverse effects. However, the exact parameters for safe and effective use are still being researched.14678

How does the IPRP + rTMS treatment for chronic pain differ from other treatments?

The IPRP + rTMS treatment is unique because it combines a non-invasive method called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP). Unlike some other treatments that may require surgery, rTMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain and can provide temporary pain relief without invasive procedures.12359

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether adding brain stimulation (rTMS) to an intensive pain rehabilitation program can help youth with severe chronic pain. The treatment uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain areas, aiming to reduce pain and improve mental health. The study focuses on youth who haven't responded to other treatments. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been used to treat various neuropsychiatric and pain conditions, including major depressive disorder, chronic pain, and epilepsy.

Research Team

JV

Jillian V Miller, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Calgary

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young people aged 10-18 with severe chronic pain that disrupts their daily life and hasn't improved with standard pain treatments. They must understand the importance of actively managing their condition to restore function, but can't join if they have significant developmental delays, brain injuries, need opioid weaning or have untreated psychiatric illnesses.

Inclusion Criteria

I and my family agree to actively manage my recovery.
My pain severely affects my daily life and stops me from doing my usual activities.
Pain treatments haven't helped me get back to my normal activities.
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder.
I am a young person needing help to stop using opioids.
I do not have severe medical or psychiatric conditions that would prevent rehabilitation.
See 1 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intensive Pain Rehabilitation Program (IPRP)

Participants undergo a three-week intensive day-treatment intervention provided by an interdisciplinary team to help resume engagement in normal daily functioning.

3 weeks
Daily visits (in-person)

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Participants receive image-guided brain stimulation to enhance brain changes observed with IPRP, applied for 37.5 minutes per weekday.

3 weeks
15 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of pain, functional disability, anxiety, depressive and PTSD symptoms.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Trial Overview The study tests whether adding Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to an Intensive Pain Rehabilitation Program (IPRP) helps reduce chronic pain in youth. The rTMS targets a specific brain area affected by chronic pain and is given daily for three weeks alongside IPRP.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: rTMS + IPRPExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
25 youth aged 10-18 years with severe chronic pain will be invited to partake in the Intensive Pain Rehabilitation Program, where they will receive Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as one of their treatment interventions.
Group II: IPRPActive Control1 Intervention
Youth within this arm will not be receiving the rTMS intervention. Rather, they will only be enrolled within the IPRP.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Calgary

Lead Sponsor

Trials
827
Recruited
902,000+

Findings from Research

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to provide significant pain relief in chronic pain conditions, particularly with high-frequency stimulation over the primary motor cortex, achieving over 30% pain reduction compared to control treatments.
Despite the promising results, most studies did not utilize repetitive rTMS sessions, indicating a need for further research to explore the long-term effects and optimal treatment protocols for various chronic pain syndromes.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in chronic pain: a review of the literature.Galhardoni, R., Correia, GS., Araujo, H., et al.[2022]
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive treatment that can provide partial and temporary relief from severe chronic pain, particularly in conditions like neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
While rTMS effects are generally short-lived, daily sessions over several weeks can lead to longer-lasting pain relief, and for patients who respond but later relapse, surgical options like implanted electrodes may help maintain the benefits.
Use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in pain relief.Lefaucheur, JP.[2022]
In a case study of a 77-year-old woman with chronic neuropathic pain, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improved her quality of life, anxiety, depression, and walking ability, despite no change in pain intensity.
The results suggest that rTMS may enhance daily functioning in chronic pain patients by influencing brain circuits, indicating its potential therapeutic benefits beyond just pain relief.
Therapeutic impact of motor cortex rTMS in patients with chronic neuropathic pain even in the absence of an analgesic response. A case report.Hodaj, H., Payen, JF., Lefaucheur, JP.[2018]

References

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in chronic pain: a review of the literature. [2022]
Use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in pain relief. [2022]
Therapeutic impact of motor cortex rTMS in patients with chronic neuropathic pain even in the absence of an analgesic response. A case report. [2018]
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of chronic pain - a pilot study. [2017]
Facilitation of A[delta]-fiber-mediated acute pain by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. [2019]
A practical algorithm for using rTMS to treat patients with chronic pain. [2020]
Neurogenic pain relief by repetitive transcranial magnetic cortical stimulation depends on the origin and the site of pain. [2022]
Prolonged continuous theta-burst stimulation is more analgesic than 'classical' high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. [2018]
[Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Intractable Pain]. [2017]
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