Study of Phantom Limb Pain Suppression Using Neuromodulation Methods

October 14, 2024 updated by: Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

Neuromodulation Methods for Suppressing Phantom Limb Pain

This study assesses the effectiveness of neuromodulation in alleviating pain through the stimulation of peripheral nerves. The research involves implanting electrodes for test stimulation of peripheral nerves (PNS - Peripheral Nerve Stimulation), spinal cord (SCS - Spinal Cord Stimulation), dorsal root ganglia (DRGS - Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation), and motor cortex (MCS - Motor Cortex Stimulation). The study aims to explore the use of neuromodulation for pain relief in patients experiencing pain due to upper or lower limb amputation.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
50

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Russian Federation
      • Moscow, Russian Federation, 117997
        • Recruiting
        • Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies of the Federal Medical Biological Agency of Russia
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Amputation of the upper limb at the level of the forearm or upper arm, or amputation of the lower limb at the level of the lower leg or thigh.
  • Age between 18 and 65 years.
  • Duration since amputation is at least 6 months.
  • Presence of persistent chronic pain syndrome rated between 4 and 10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
  • Absence of pregnancy at the time of implantation, confirmed by a pregnancy test (for female participants only).
  • Signed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of severe somatic pathology that hinders surgical treatment and participation in the study.
  • Presence of psychiatric disorders (including a history of), severe depression, suicidal tendencies, or a history of suicide attempts.
  • Presence of severe orthopedic deformity in the limb above the level of amputation.
  • History of cancer.
  • History of epilepsy.
  • Complicated traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a history of stroke.
  • Inability to undergo electrostimulation due to other somatic pathology.
  • Purulent-septic pathology.
  • Drug addiction (including a history of).
  • Congenital anomaly of upper limb development.
  • Anomalies in the development of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Spinal cord stimulation
Procedure: Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a neuromodulation that involves the implantation of a device that delivers electrical impulses to the spinal cord through an electrode placed in the epidural space. The stimulation alters pain signals before they reach the brain, effectively masking or reducing the sensation of pain.
Experimental: Peripheral nerve stimulation
Procedure: Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) is a neuromodulation technique used to treat chronic pain. The procedure starts with a preoperative assessment, including imaging to identify the target peripheral nerve. Under local anesthesia, a thin, insulated electrode is implanted near the nerve, usually with the help of fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance for precision.
Experimental: Motor Cortex Stimulation
Procedure: Motor Cortex Stimulation
Motor Cortex Stimulation (MCS) is a neuromodulation technique that involves the surgical implantation of electrodes over the motor cortex, typically targeting the precentral gyrus, to deliver electrical stimulation. The procedure involves placing an electrode grid or strip on the dura mater overlying the motor cortex, which is identified via neuroimaging techniques such as functional MRI or neuronavigation. Once implanted, the electrodes are connected to an implanted pulse generator (IPG), which delivers adjustable electrical impulses.
Experimental: Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation
Procedure: Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRGS) is a targeted neuromodulation technique for managing chronic pain. The procedure begins with a thorough preoperative assessment, including imaging to locate the specific dorsal root ganglion (DRG) associated with the pain. Under local anesthesia, a small electrode is implanted near the DRG. This is done through a minimally invasive procedure, often guided by fluoroscopy or CT imaging to ensure precise placement.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Visual analogue scale (VAS)
Time Frame: Up to 4 months
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a 10 cm line used to measure pain intensity. One end of the line represents "no pain," while the other end signifies "worst possible pain." The line can be either horizontal or vertical.
Up to 4 months
SF-36
Time Frame: up to 1 year
The questionnaire consists of 36 items grouped into eight scales: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional well-being, and mental health. Each scale ranges from 0 to 100, where 100 represents full health. Higher scores indicate better quality of life, with two summary measures: physical and mental well-being.
up to 1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sensory mapping
Time Frame: up to 4 months
The sensory mapping procedure involved evoking sensations in phantom hands through peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Electrode pairs were selected, and stimulation parameters, with fixed pulse width and frequency were applied. Stimulation amplitude was gradually increased in 0.1-mA steps until participants rated their sensation intensity from 0 (no sensation) to 10 (uncomfortably intense). Upon reaching a score of 5, participants marked sensation location on a hand image and described the sensation's naturalness and intensity.
up to 4 months
Pain detect
Time Frame: Up 1 year
The questionnaire is intended for completion by a physician and combines a pain distribution diagram with a visual analog scale (VAS) and a section focused on identifying spontaneous and triggered neuropathic pain symptoms. It also assesses the nature of pain using the diagram, categorizing it as constant, episodic, or constant with episodes, among others. The questionnaire comprehensively reflects all possible pain parameters, allowing for clear tracking of pain dynamics over time. Its diagnostic accuracy is 83%.
Up 1 year
DN 4
Time Frame: up to 1 year
The DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) questionnaire is a diagnostic tool designed to identify neuropathic pain, caused by nerve damage. It includes 10 items divided into two sections. The first part consists of seven questions that assess the patient's pain symptoms, such as burning, tingling, electric shocks, or numbness. The second part involves a clinical examination where the physician tests for reduced sensitivity to touch and pinprick, as well as pain response to light brushing. Each item is scored with 1 point for "Yes" and 0 for "No." A total score of 4 or higher indicates a high probability of neuropathic pain.
up to 1 year
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS
Time Frame: up to 1 year
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a widely used screening tool designed to assess anxiety and depression levels in patients in non-psychiatric hospital settings. It consists of 14 items, divided into two subscales: seven questions assess anxiety (HADS-A) and seven assess depression (HADS-D). The items focus on emotional and cognitive symptoms rather than physical symptoms, making it suitable for patients with medical conditions. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 to 3, with total scores for each subscale ranging from 0 to 21. A score of 8 or more on either subscale suggests the presence of anxiety or depression. The HADS is valued for its simplicity and reliability in clinical and research settings.
up to 1 year
Sensory threshold
Time Frame: up to 6 months
In this experiment, the goal is to determine the minimum stimulation amplitude that elicits a sensory response. Participants are shown the numbers 1 and 2 on a screen, with stimulation activated simultaneously upon the appearance of one of the numbers. Their task is to identify when the stimulation occurred and input their answer on a keyboard. An expanded version of the experiment may provide stimulation during both moments, requiring participants to determine which moment had a higher stimulation level. The results will yield a psychophysical curve that illustrates the relationship between response accuracy and stimulation amplitude, as well as the participants' ability to differentiate stimulation parameters. It is anticipated that over time, the sensory threshold will shift, leading to increased accuracy in parameter identification.
up to 6 months

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
OPUS
Time Frame: up to 4 months
OPUS (Optimal Patient Utilization System) is a clinical decision support tool designed to enhance patient care through improved resource management and treatment efficiency. It utilizes advanced algorithms and data analytics to optimize patient scheduling, treatment pathways, and staff allocation within healthcare facilities. By analyzing patient demographics, medical history, and treatment outcomes, OPUS helps clinicians make informed decisions about resource allocation and care delivery. The system aims to reduce wait times, streamline operations, and improve overall patient satisfaction. Additionally, OPUS provides real-time feedback and reporting capabilities, enabling healthcare providers to monitor performance metrics and identify areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing the quality of care.
up to 4 months
PEQ (Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire)
Time Frame: up to 4 months
The Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) is a standardized assessment tool designed to evaluate the functional and psychosocial outcomes of individuals using prosthetic devices. Comprising various domains, the PEQ addresses aspects such as mobility, activity level, and quality of life, allowing users to report their experiences and satisfaction with their prosthesis. The questionnaire includes specific items that gauge the user's perception of their prosthetic limb's comfort, functionality, and impact on daily activities. By providing a comprehensive view of the user's experience, the PEQ helps healthcare professionals identify areas for improvement in prosthetic design and rehabilitation strategies. The results from the PEQ can inform clinical decisions and enhance personalized care, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction.
up to 4 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Motorica LLC
Federal center of brain research and neurotechnologies

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 2, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 14, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 16, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 16, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 14, 2024

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
October 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Skoltech-CNBR4

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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