tDCS and VI to Treat Neuropathic Pain and Function in SCI

tDCS Stimulation Combined With VI as a Possible Therapy for Enhancing Functional Ability in SCI With Neuropathic Pain

Status

UNKNOWN

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03052244

Enrollment

100

Registered

2017-02-14

Start date

2017-03-15

Completion date

2020-03-15

Last updated

2017-02-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

SCI - Spinal Cord Injury

Keywords

tDCS (trans cranial direct current stimulation), Visual illusion, Neuropathic pain, Spinal cord Injury

Brief summary

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) will be applied for patient who suffer from neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury The tDCS treatment will be coupled with a video of a man walking (creating a visual illusion) in order to enhance functional ability and reduce pain

Detailed description

Non-invasive cortical brain stimulation is a promising method for treating cases of neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) appears to modulate cortical excitability and can reduce pain levels following SCI, however its effects remaining for short-term and may not be useful for the rehabilitation progress in these patients. Recent findings suggest that M1 stimulation combined with visual illusion (VI) enhances the reduction in pain which maintain up to 3 month following treatment. The current study aims to reveal whether reduction of neuropathic pain in patients with SCI through tDCS have beneficial effect on functional ability during rehabilitation program. In the present study the investigators will use anodal stimulation of the M1 via neuroConn DC stimulator. Current intensity of 2mA or sham stimulation will be given during 20 min in parallel to a visual illusion of walking legs (or neutral video for sham stimuli).

Interventions

DEVICEtDCS+VI

2mA will be delivered over 20min to M1 via neuroConn DC stimulator combined with video presenting walking legs.

DEVICEtDCS Sham+VI Sham

2mA will be delivered up to 30 sec to M1 via neuroConn DC stimulator combined with video presenting graphical illustration or nature movie for total duration of 20 min.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 75 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. patients hospitalized in spinal cord rehabilitation department 2. neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury 3. able to seat on a wheel chair 4. able to understand and comply with basic instructions 5. Hebrew speakers

Exclusion criteria

1. epilepsy 2. pregnancy 3. non-neuropathic pain 4. medical condition that affect cognitive functioning 5. medical condition other then the spinal cord injury that affect functioning

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
change in SCIM 3 (scale)	up to 7 day before and following the treatment	spinal cord independence measure

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
change in VAS (Visual Analog Scale)	up to 7 day before and following the treatment	reported subjective pain scale
change in BPI (Brief Pain Inventory)	up to 24h before and following the treatment	—

Contacts

Primary ContactRotem Gur, Ph.D

rotemgu@clalit.org.il97297709170

Backup ContactMotti Ratmansky, MD

mottir@clalit.org.il97297709102

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026