A Phase 2/3 interventional study of laboratory pain assessment and transcranial magnetic stimulation in Pain, Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neuropathic Pain, sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina. Withdrawn at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 21 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2012-04-30.
Sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina · Phase 2/3, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on pain perception.
Chronic pain represents a huge public health concern and is generally poorly understood at a basic neurobiological level. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that uses electromagnetic pulses to temporarily stimulate specific brain areas in awake people (without the need for surgery, anesthesia, or other invasive procedures). Previous research suggests that TMS may be effective in reducing pain perception in healthy adults and in patients with various types of pain conditions, such as neuropathic pain. However, there is relatively little research on TMS and pain that addresses optimal TMS device parameters, optimal cortical targets, and potential differences in response to TMS between healthy persons and those with chronic pain.
The purpose of this trial is to study the effects of TMS on pain perception. Specifically, this study will determine optimal device parameters (dose) and brain targets for stimulation with TMS in order to reduce pain in patients with neuropathic pain and in healthy adults using laboratory pain methods.
Participants with Neuropathic Pain:
After an initial screening, eligible participants with neuropathic pain will receive a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to help determine the best target for TMS stimulation later in the study. Participants will be asked to record their pain experiences every day for 2-4 weeks before receiving the first of 2 laboratory pain assessments. The laboratory pain assessment uses a small device, controlled by a computer and attached to the underside of the forearm, to produce different temperature stimulations. As the device reaches a level considered painful to the participant, he/she can push a button to return to a level of comfort.
The next part of the trial involves two, 20-minute TMS treatment sessions per day for 5-days. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A will receive real TMS and Group B will receive "sham" TMS. Study participation time for individuals with TGN is about 8 weeks, including about 10 hours (7 visits) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
Healthy Volunteers:
In addition to an interview with researchers regarding medical history, healthy participants will complete a self-report screening to assess pain history and level of depression and anxiety. Eligible participants will be given a laboratory pain assessment, and be randomly assigned to one of two groups: group A will receive real TMS and group B will receive "sham" TMS. After TMS, participants will receive another full laboratory pain assessment and complete questionnaires. For healthy volunteers, participation in the study will take about 3 hours and may be completed in one or two visits.
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Inclusion Criteria:
For Healthy Adults:
For Patients with neuropathic pain:
laboratory pain assessment
Device: laboratory pain assessment
transcranial magnetic stimulation
Procedure: transcranial magnetic stimulation
Participants will record their pain experiences every day for 2 weeks before receiving the first of 5 laboratory pain assessments. The laboratory pain assessment uses a small device, controlled by a computer and attached to the underside of the forearm, to produce different temperature stimulations. As the device reaches a level considered painful to the participant, he/she can push a button to return to a level of comfort.
There will be two, 20-minute, 3-day TMS treatment sessions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A will receive real TMS for the first 3-day treatment and "sham" TMS (which does not involve real stimulation) for the second treatment. Group B will receive "sham" TMS for the first treatment, and real TMS for the second treatment. Regardless of the group, participants will receive both real and "sham" TMS.
Clinical neuropathic pain ratings, activity levels, analgesic medication usage, mood ratings, laboratory pain measures (thermal and mechanical pain thresholds, suprathreshold pain ratings, and wind-up pain ratings).
Time frame: measured during the study period
This study is withdrawn, as verified in Oct 2010. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Medical University of South Carolina