NCT06029075NARecruiting
tACS for Neuropathic Pain Management After SCI
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Start Date
9/1/2025
Completion Date
3/31/2028
Summary
The overall goal is to investigate the effectiveness of a novel intervention - transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for neuropathic pain management in people after spinal cord injury.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 18 years to 75 years
Inclusion/exclusion criteria for SCI subjects
Inclusion criteria: A patient who
1. has neuropathic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury or amputation or brain injury;
2. has chronic pain, \>3 months;
3. is between 18 to 75 years of age;
4. is stable on oral pain medications at least two weeks. Patients are allowed to continue their pain medications, i.e., no change in pain medications.
NOTE: we plan to begin the study with the spinal cord injury (SCI) subject population as a cohort first, then expand to other subject populations
Exclusion criteria: Patients will be excluded if they
1. are currently adjusting oral pain medications for their neuropathic pain;
2. have pain, but not neuropathic, e.g., from inflammation at the incision wound of the residual limb or neuroma;
3. have a pacemaker metal implants or supplemental oxygen;
4. have amputation in their arm(s);
5. fail to have a motor contraction in the arm muscles with TMS;
6. are not able to follow commands, or to give consent;
7. have asthma or other pulmonary disease;
8. are not medically stable;
9. have preexisting psychiatric disorders;
10. alcohol or drug abuse.
Interventions
DEVICE
tACS Sham
DEVICE
tACS 10Hz
DEVICE
tACS 20Hz
Conditions
Neuropathic Pain Management
Locations
The University of Texas Health Science Center
Houston, Texas 77030
United States