15 Participants Needed

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain

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Dr. David Darrow, MD - Minneapolis, MN ...
Overseen ByDavid Darrow, MD MPH
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Minnesota
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 3 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

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

Dr. David Darrow, MD - Minneapolis, MN ...

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

I am 22 years old or older.
My pain level is 6 or higher on a scale of 0-10.
English speaker
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am scheduled for a permanent implant without a trial period.
Employees or students of PI
Pregnant
See 4 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo spinal cord stimulation with different types of stimulation (tonic, burst, and multistim) over four months, reporting daily pain scores.

16 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored routinely to collect laboratory, behavioral, and survey responses to test for the feasibility of obtaining data explaining pain phenotype.

3 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Various Stimulation Patterns
Trial OverviewThe study tests different patterns of spinal cord stimulation (tonic, burst, multistim) in patients with chronic pain. Participants will be blinded to the type they receive and report daily pain scores over four months. The most effective setting for reducing pain will be identified using Thompson sampling and recommended for future use.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Experimental groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Prospective cohort of patients clinically scheduled to undergo spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic back pain or radiculopathy.

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

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Spinal Cord Stimulation for:
  • Chronic back pain
  • Radicular pain
  • Failed back surgery syndrome
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Diabetic neuropathy
🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Spinal Cord Stimulation for:
  • 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
🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Spinal Cord Stimulation for:
  • 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

Trials
1,459
Recruited
1,623,000+

Findings from Research

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a low-risk, reversible technique that effectively manages chronic, intractable pain when patients are carefully selected, as shown by multicenter prospective studies.
Recent advancements in electrode placement and programmable electronics have enhanced the implementation of SCS, and ongoing innovations are expected to further improve its efficacy.
Spinal cord stimulation for failed back surgery syndrome and other disorders.Nicholson, CL., Korfias, S., Jenkins, A.[2019]
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain, increasingly recognized as a first-line therapy due to its non-addictive nature and minimal systemic side effects.
Recent technological advancements, including multi-lead and multi-electrode arrays, have expanded the applications of SCS, allowing for better treatment options for various pain conditions such as radiculitis and complex regional pain syndrome.
Current and future trends in spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain.Deer, TR.[2022]
A systematic review identified 22 guideline statements for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in chronic pain treatment from 1998 to 2013, highlighting a need for improved patient selection and therapy durability.
Current guidelines show significant gaps in coverage and evidence synthesis, indicating that updated and more comprehensive guidelines are necessary to enhance patient outcomes and access to neurostimulation therapies.
International neuromodulation society critical assessment: guideline review of implantable neurostimulation devices.Deer, TR., Thomson, S., Pope, JE., et al.[2022]

References

Spinal cord stimulation for failed back surgery syndrome and other disorders. [2019]
Current and future trends in spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain. [2022]
International neuromodulation society critical assessment: guideline review of implantable neurostimulation devices. [2022]
Factors associated with the success of trial spinal cord stimulation in patients with chronic pain from failed back surgery syndrome. [2021]
Prospective Evaluation of Patient Usage of Above and Below Threshold Waveforms With Traditional Spinal Cord Stimulation Devices. [2022]
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic refractory pain: Long-term effectiveness and safety data from a multicentre registry. [2019]
Techniques for Safe Removal of Spinal Cord Stimulation Paddle Leads. [2022]
Is spinal cord stimulation safe? A review of 13 years of implantations and complications. [2022]
The Incidence of Spinal Cord Injury in Implantation of Percutaneous and Paddle Electrodes for Spinal Cord Stimulation. [2022]
Efficacy of the latest new stimulation patterns of spinal cord stimulation for intractable neuropathic pain compared to conventional stimulation: study protocol for a clinical trial. [2023]
[Spinal cord stimulation in 62 patients: Retrospective evaluation]. [2018]
12.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Tonic, Burst, High-Density, and 10-kHz High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation: Efficiency and Patients' Preferences in a Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Predominant Population. Review of Literature. [2021]
Spinal cord stimulation for FBSS and CRPS: A review of 80 cases with on-table trial of stimulation. [2018]
[Minimally invasive implantation technique of a system for spinal cord stimulation]. [2021]