Chronic PainNCT01404052
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Transcranial Ultrasound on Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee
A study testing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in people with Chronic Pain and Osteoarthritis, run by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to see the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a decrease in pain levels with active stimulation, when compared to sham stimulation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 64 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Pain, Osteoarthritis
- What is being tested?
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jan 2011to 30 Jul 2014
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 64 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Providing informed consent to participate in the study
- 18 to 64 years old
- Having chronic osteoarthritis knee pain in either knee (existing pain for more than 6 months with an average of at least 3 on a 0-10 VAS scale)
- Pain resistant to common analgesics and medications for chronic pain such as Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Soma, Parafon Forte DCS, Zanaflex, and Codeine.
- Must have the ability to feel pain as self reported
Who cannot join
- Subject is pregnant.
- Contraindications to tDCS:
- metal in the head
- implanted brain medical devices
- Contraindications to TUS:
- metal in the head
Show all 14Show fewer
- implanted brain medical devices
- History of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months as self reported
- Use of carbamazepine within the past 6 months as self reported.
- Suffering from severe depression (with a score of >30 in the Beck Depression Inventory)
- History of neurological disorders as self reported.
- History of unexplained fainting spells as self reported,
- History of head injury resulting in more than a momentary loss of consciousness as self reported
- History of neurosurgery as self reported
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
About this study
Official title: Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcranial Ultrasound on the Perception of Pain Due to Osteoarthritis of the Knee
The purpose of this study is to see the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a decrease in pain levels with active stimulation, when compared to sham stimulation. Before, during and after stimulation, the investigators will measure and assess changes intracranial blood flow with transcranial ultrasound.
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain, Osteoarthritis
- Being tested
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
- Keywords
- transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial ultrasound
- Medical subject headings
- Chronic Pain, Osteoarthritis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcranial Direct Current StimulationDevice
Also called low intensity 1x1 direct current stimulator
Subjects will be randomized to undergo either 5 sessions of active tDCS stimulation, or 5 sessions of sham tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm^2 and an intensity of 2mA. The anodal electrode will be placed over the primary motor cortex contralateral to the most painful side, and the cathodal electrode will be placed over the contralateral supraorbital area. Active stimulation will last for 20 minutes, while sham stimulation will only last for 30 seconds, mimicking the sensations during active stimulation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS + transcranial ultrasound | Experimental | Subjects will undergo 20 minutes active tDCS in conjunction with transcranial ultrasound measurements. Receives: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation |
| Sham tDCS + transcranial ultrasound | Sham comparator | Subjects will receive sham tDCS in conjunction with transcranial ultrasound measurements. Receives: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in pain scale
Determine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation in conjunction with transcranial ultrasound (applied in a diagnostic mode) is effective in reducing pain in subjects with chronic osteoarthritis pain, as measured by changes in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. VAS will be measured immediately before the tDCS stimulation sessions, and immediately after the tDCS stimulation sessions for the subject's duration in the trial. VAS will also be measured at baseline, and at three follow-up sessions after tDCS stimulation (up to 2 months after tDCS stimulation)
Measured: Measured for approximately 2 months
Secondary outcomes (2)
Changes in cutaneous allodynia/hyperalgesia
To investigate whether stimulation with active anodal tDCS with ultrasound (applied in a diagnostic mode) alters the phenomenon of central sensitization, as indexed by cutaneous allodynia and hyperalgesia, measured by the pain perception threshold as compared with sham tDCS. Pain measurements will be measured immediately before the tDCS stimulation sessions, and immediately after for the subject's duration in the trial. Pain measurements will also be measured at baseline, and at three follow-up sessions after tDCS stimulation (up to 2 months after tDCS stimulation)
Measured: Measured for approximately 2 months
Assessment of hemodynamic changes with transcranial ultrasound
To investigate hemodynamic changes in the brain that may occur due to tDCS as measured by transcranial ultrasound. Blood flow measured by TUS will be measured immediately before during and after the tDCS stimulation sessions, for the subject's duration in the trial. Blood flow measured by TUS will also be measured at baseline, and at three follow-up sessions after tDCS stimulation (up to 2 months after tDCS stimulation)
Measured: Measured for approximately 2 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jul 2011 (estimated)
- Study startJan 2011
- Primary completion30 Jul 2014
- Study completion30 Jul 2014
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Highland Instruments, Inc.
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Felipe Fregni, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Investigators
- Felipe Fregni, MD, PhD, MPH, Principal investigator, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH)
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01404052
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2010-p-001977
- Status last verified
- Apr 2020
- First submitted
- 29 Jun 2011
- Last updated
- 24 Apr 2020
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Apr 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcranial Ultrasound on the Perception of Pain Due to Osteoarthritis of the Knee
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01404052
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2010-p-001977
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain, Osteoarthritis
- Keywords
- transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial ultrasound
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Spaulding Rehabilitation HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Highland Instruments, Inc.
- Study start
- Jan 2011
- Primary completion
- 30 Jul 2014 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jul 2014 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Jul 2011 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to see the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a decrease in pain levels with active stimulation, when compared to sham stimulation. Before, during and after stimulation, the investigators will measure and assess changes intracranial blood flow with transcranial ultrasound.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS + transcranial ultrasound | Experimental | Device: Transcranial Direct Current StimulationSubjects will undergo 20 minutes active tDCS in conjunction with transcranial ultrasound measurements. |
| Sham tDCS + transcranial ultrasound | Sham comparator | Device: Transcranial Direct Current StimulationSubjects will receive sham tDCS in conjunction with transcranial ultrasound measurements. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 64 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Providing informed consent to participate in the study
- 18 to 64 years old
- Having chronic osteoarthritis knee pain in either knee (existing pain for more than 6 months with an average of at least 3 on a 0-10 VAS scale)
- Pain resistant to common analgesics and medications for chronic pain such as Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Soma, Parafon Forte DCS, Zanaflex, and Codeine.
- Must have the ability to feel pain as self reported
Key exclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Subject is pregnant.
- Contraindications to tDCS:
- Contraindications to TUS:
- History of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months as self reported
- Use of carbamazepine within the past 6 months as self reported.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Direct Current StimulationAlso: low intensity 1x1 direct current stimulatorSubjects will be randomized to undergo either 5 sessions of active tDCS stimulation, or 5 sessions of sham tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm^2 and an intensity of 2mA. The anodal electrode will be placed over the primary motor cortex contralateral to the most painful side, and the cathodal electrode will be placed over the contralateral supraorbital area. Active stimulation will last for 20 minutes, while sham stimulation will only last for 30 seconds, mimicking the sensations during active stimulation. | Device | Active tDCS + transcranial ultrasound, Sham tDCS + transcranial ultrasound |
Primary outcome
Changes in pain scale
Time frame: Measured for approximately 2 months
Determine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation in conjunction with transcranial ultrasound (applied in a diagnostic mode) is effective in reducing pain in subjects with chronic osteoarthritis pain, as measured by changes in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. VAS will be measured immediately before the tDCS stimulation sessions, and immediately after the tDCS stimulation sessions for the subject's duration in the trial. VAS will also be measured at baseline, and at three follow-up sessions after tDCS stimulation (up to 2 months after tDCS stimulation)
2 secondary outcomes
Changes in cutaneous allodynia/hyperalgesia
Time frame: Measured for approximately 2 months
Assessment of hemodynamic changes with transcranial ultrasound
Time frame: Measured for approximately 2 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Apr 2020.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Felipe Fregni, MD, PhD, MPH principal investigator
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH)
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in people with Chronic Pain and Osteoarthritis, run by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Apr 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in pain scale (time frame: Measured for approximately 2 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Apr 2020.