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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Trigeminal Neuralgia

An Investigation of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Trigeminal Neuralgia (TGN)

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04120129
Acronym
TGN
Enrollment
51
Registered
2019-10-09
Start date
2020-08-01
Completion date
2021-06-30
Last updated
2020-11-13

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

Conditions

Facial Pain

Keywords

trigmenial neuralgia, Chronic orofacial pain

Brief summary

The primary objective is to establish the feasibility of using TMS for COFP pain management in the interim period before surgery. This will be investigated by comparing the non-intervention group's self-reported pain to those who recieved TMS at several timepoints.

Detailed description

Participants will be randomized to either receive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Sham-TMS (a non-therapeutic TMS coil which sounds and feels similar to normal TMS), or standard treatment during the weeks of wait time before surgery for chronic orofacial pain (COFP). TMS is a noninvasive, painless magnetic device which, when applied to the head for a few minutes, has been shown to reduce pain in people with COFP. The sham TMS is a sub-therapeutic level of magnetcic stimulation which makes the same sound as normal TMS and causes a similar tingling of the skin. Both those who receive this new pain intervention and those who do not will be asked to fill out a short online survey about their pain at several points during the study. The survey takes about 10 minutes to fill out and each of the 5 TMS sessions last 10 minutes.

Interventions

DEVICETMS

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique which produces short pulsatile magnetic fields (similar to that of an MRI) via two extracranial, figure 8-shaped electric coils which can induce a small, temporary, electric current in the brain currently approved and used for depression.

DEVICEsham TMS coil

The sham TMS does cause some stimulation to the participant so that the participants get the sensation of treatment without any cortical excitation that TMS delivers. The sensation experienced is similar to the muscle twitching or finger tapping experienced by TMS participants.

Sponsors

Carilion Clinic
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Masking description

TMS and sham TMS treatment group participants and researchers will be blinded to which treatment the participant receives

Intervention model description

TMS, sham-TMS, and no treatment groups

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Documented diagnosis of classic trigeminal neuralgia or persisten idiopathic facial pain * Considered an appropriate candidate for surgical or stereotactic intervention - microvascular decompression or stereotactic radiosurgery- ( includes factors such as overall health, chronic medication, comorbidities) and patient preference * Between ages 18-100 * Able to participate in 5 consecutive TMS treatments * Has at least 3 weeks between pre-op visit and scheduled date of surgery * Able to provide consent and complete online questionnaires on their own

Exclusion criteria

* Multiple Sclerosis or trauma-related etiology of facial pain (i.e. secondary facial pain) * contraindication to TMS, per device guidelines: Metallic implant in or near head Implanted stimulator on or near head recent suicidal ideation history of epilepsy, stroke, or unexplained seizure \- Need for urgent/emergent surgical decompression.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changed Pain assessed by self reported measures: Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2)7 monthsThe primary objective is to establish the effectiveness of TMS for COFP pain management in the interim period before surgery. This will be investigated by comparing the non-intervention group's self-reported pain to those who received TMS at several timepoints. Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2)will be used. The scale asks participants to identify their pain level across body areas and total from 0-10 (0 being none & 10 worst possible)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Length of altered pain7 monthsA secondary objective is to establish how long the effects of TMS last. This will be done by comparing self-reported pain scores prior to TMS, after TMS and at several timepoints thereafter in those who recieved the treatment. Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2) will be used. The scale asks participants to identify their pain level across body areas and total from 0-10 (0 being none & 10 worst possible)

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactMark Witcher, MD, PhD
mrwitcher@carilionclinic.org540-224-5170
Backup ContactMallory Blackwood, MS
bmal@vt.edu8047542825

Outcome results

None listed

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