Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Spinal cord stimulation modulates the nervous system to effectively block pain signals originating from the back and legs. Spinal cord stimulation has been shown to improve chronic pain, improve quality of life, and reduce disability. Unfortunately, spinal cord stimulation has a high trial failure rate and a high long-term failure rate. This study consists of a prospective cohort of patients clinically scheduled to undergo spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic back pain or radiculopathy. Participants will undergo a structured optimization evaluating existing types of stimulation (tonic, burst, and multistim). Each participant will try out all types of available stimulation but be blinded to the type. Over the course of four months, each participant will evaluate each type of stimulation by reporting daily pain scores. Thompson sampling will be used to identify which setting produces the biggest improvement in pain and recommend it for future use. Participants will follow up routinely to collect laboratory, behavioral, and survey responses to test for the feasibility of obtaining data explaining pain phenotype.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for chronic pain?
Research shows that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective for managing chronic pain, especially in conditions like failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. Studies highlight that SCS is a safe, reversible treatment that can improve quality of life without addictive issues or systemic side effects.12345
Is spinal cord stimulation generally safe for humans?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is generally considered safe for treating chronic pain, with long-term safety data available from real-world evaluations. However, complications can occur, and the risk of spinal cord injury, although not well quantified, is a concern during electrode implantation.56789
How is spinal cord stimulation different from other treatments for chronic pain?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is unique because it uses electrical impulses to modulate pain perception in the spinal cord, offering a non-drug approach to pain relief. Unlike traditional methods that may cause a tingling sensation (paresthesia), newer SCS patterns like DTM and FAST provide pain relief without this sensation, making them more comfortable for some patients.1011121314
Research Team
David Darrow, MD MPH
Principal Investigator
University of Minnesota
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 22 or older with chronic back pain or radiculopathy, who are scheduled to undergo spinal cord stimulation and have a baseline pain rating of 6 or higher. It excludes those getting permanent implants without a trial, people with pacemakers/neurostimulators, pregnant individuals, those unable to consent, employees/students of the principal investigator (PI), prisoners, and anyone unable to read/use a smartphone.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo spinal cord stimulation with different types of stimulation (tonic, burst, and multistim) over four months, reporting daily pain scores.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored routinely to collect laboratory, behavioral, and survey responses to test for the feasibility of obtaining data explaining pain phenotype.
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Various Stimulation Patterns
Various Stimulation Patterns is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Chronic back pain
- Radicular pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Neuropathic pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Chronic back pain
- Radicular pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Neuropathic pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Visceral abdominal pain
- Perineal pain
- Chronic back pain
- Radicular pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Neuropathic pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Diabetic neuropathy
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Minnesota
Lead Sponsor