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Chronic PainNCT02837822

Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation on Sensory Perceptions of Chronic Pain Patients

A study testing Spinal cord stimulator and Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator in people with Chronic Pain and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, run by CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval at 2 sites in 2 countries.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

It's well known that Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) changes the perception of chronic pain in the area stimulated by epidural electrodes. However, we don't know the effect of this type of stimulation on the perception of external sensations (temperature, touch, pressure, and vibration) and sharp pain. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Spinal cord stimulator and Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
38 participants
Where
2 sitesin 2 countries
Study dates
Oct 2015to May 2018
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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participant with a diagnosis of CRPS or FBSS that meet International Association for the Study of Pain's criteria;
  • Pain in one leg;
  • Paresthesia area limited to the treated leg;
  • No changes in the programming patterns of the device for a minimum of 30 days before the tests;
  • Informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Wounds or infections at the painful site.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 2 countries.

2 sites in 2 countries

United States1 site
  • University of Toledo Medical Center

    Toledo, Ohio, 43614

Other trials in United States

Canada1 site
  • CHU de Québec - Université Laval

    Québec, G1J 1Z4

Other trials in Canada

About this study

It's well known that Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) changes the perception of chronic pain in the area stimulated by epidural electrodes. However, we don't know the effect of this type of stimulation on the perception of external sensations (temperature, touch, pressure, and vibration) and sharp pain. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is used to quantify somatosensory phenotype. This QST battery tests different subtypes of nerve fibres (Aβ, Aδ and C) involved in the transduction of sensory information from the periphery to the spinal cord.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the SCS on sensory perceptions of patients with chronic pain (CRPS, FBSS). Sensorial perception tests will be carried out in accordance with a standardized procedure (Rolke et al. Pain, 2006). For non-implanted patients, an initial visit will be conducted before the operation. For all participants, two other visits will take place at least 6 months after the operation to perform the tests with and without stimulation.

Read the detailed description

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a reversible and minimally invasive neuromodulation technique employs for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. Even if SCS is an established technology for the management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), its impacts on the sensory perception system remain misunderstood.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the SCS on sensory perceptions of patients with chronic pain (CRPS, FBSS). Sensorial perception tests will be carried out in accordance with a standardized procedure (Rolke et al. Pain, 2006) at the level of maximum pain area (painful leg), and at two non-painful areas (contralateral leg and ipsilateral arm). The thermode "Thermal Sensory Analyser TSA-II NeuroSensory Analyzer" and its complement "Vibratory Sensory Analyzer VSA-3000" (Medoc) will be used to assess warm, cold and vibratory detection thresholds, as well as heat and cold painful thresholds. Von Frey monofilaments (Bioseb) will be used to evaluate the mechanical detection threshold. The algometer "Force Ten ™ FDX Digital" (Wagner) will measure the pressure pain threshold. Dynamic mechanical allodynia will be assessed with a standardized brush (SENSELab Brush-05, Somedic). The Neuropen (Owen Mumford) will be used to test the temporal pain summation. Participants will be recruited through the neuromodulation clinic located in Enfant-Jésus Hospital (Québec, Canada).

For non-implanted patients, an initial visit will be conducted before the operation. For all participants, two other visits will take place at least 6 months after the operation to perform the tests with and without stimulation (the order of these visits will be randomized).

For each test, an average of the absolute differences (with-without stimulation) and its confidence interval will be calculated. The results will be considered significant with p values inferior to 0,05. All analyzes will be performed with SAS (SAS 9.3 Institute Inc, Cary, NC, USA).

The protocol was peer reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Enfant-Jésus Hospital. All subjects will participate after written informed consent.

Being tested
Spinal cord stimulator, Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator
Keywords
Spinal Cord Stimulation, Quantitative Sensory Testing
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndromes, Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Spinal cord stimulatorDevice

    Also called Dorsal column stimulation

    Spinal cord stimulator is a reversible and minimally invasive neuromodulation device used for the treatment of various diseases related to chronic pain, including CRPS and FBSS. Briefly, this technology uses electrical pulses to generate action potentials in nerve cells that induce paresthesias (buzzing or tingling sensations) in the affected limb and can relieve pain.

  • Implantation of a spinal cord stimulatorProcedure or surgery

    The electrical pulses are induced by one or more electrodes surgically implanted into the epidural space. These electrodes are usually placed under the skin in the abdomen or upper buttock.

Study groups in NCT02837822
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Stimulation OffActive comparatorPatients receiving the intervention "implantation with a spinal cord stimulator". The system is turn Off during the experiment.
Receives: Device: Spinal cord stimulator; Procedure: Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator
Stimulation OnActive comparatorPatients receiving the intervention "implantation with a spinal cord stimulator". The system is turn On during the experiment.
Receives: Device: Spinal cord stimulator; Procedure: Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in sensory thresholds

    Sensorial perception tests will be carried out in accordance with a standardized procedure (Rolke et al. Pain, 2006). The thermode "Thermal Sensory Analyser TSA-II NeuroSensory Analyzer" and its complement "Vibratory Sensory Analyzer VSA-3000" (Medoc) will be used to assess warm, cold and vibratory detection thresholds, as well as heat and cold painful thresholds. Von Frey monofilaments (Bioseb) will be used to evaluate the mechanical detection threshold. The algometer "Force Ten ™ FDX Digital" (Wagner) will measure the pressure pain threshold. Dynamic mechanical allodynia will be assessed with a standardized brush (SENSELab Brush-05, Somedic). The Neuropen (Owen Mumford) will be used to test the temporal pain summation.

    Measured: Baseline and at least 6 months post-implantation

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Jul 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study startOct 2015
  3. Primary completionMay 2018
  4. Study completionMay 2018

Resources

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
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
38 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02837822
Sponsor's protocol ID
2015-2072
Status last verified
Jul 2018
First submitted
3 Jun 2016
Last updated
17 Jul 2018
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Spinal cord stimulator and Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator in people with Chronic Pain and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, run by CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval at 2 sites in 2 countries.

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 1 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 17 Jul 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States, Canada. 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. 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?

Change in sensory thresholds (time frame: Baseline and at least 6 months post-implantation). 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 17 Jul 2018.

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