Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation (tTIS) for Neuropathic Pain in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)

A Single-center, Prospective, Single-arm Clinical Study: Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation (tTIS) for Neuropathic Pain in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)

This is an open-label, single-arm, single-center prospective pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of transcranial temperol interference stimulation in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) complicated by neuropathic pain in China.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: NMO Spectrum Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: 10Hz tTIS (2-4mA) Intervention

Detailed Description

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare but severe demyelinating condition that affects mainly adult patients. In the course of NMOSD, pain is a common accompanying symptom, aside from other symptoms such as visual impairment, limb weakness, limb numbness, and urinary and fecal dysfunction. Among these, neuropathic pain is the most common, affecting over 80% of patients with NMOSD. It occurs not only during the acute phase of NMOSD but also serves as the main form of chronic pain. Currently, there is no standard clinical protocol for the treatment of neuropathic pain, and the efficacy of analgesic drugs is limited. Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) is emerging as a non-invasive therapeutic alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS). Studies have shown that tTIS exerts a positive impact on neural function, including enhancing memory function and improving motor function. While it still remains underdeveloped about tTIS in the field of pain management. Based on this, we intend to conduct a small-sample prospective self-controlled study. By analyzing the baseline clinical characteristics, we will compare the changes in pain scale scores (Numerical Rating Scale [NRS], Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), Global Impression Scales, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Painful Spasm Frequency Scale, and Hamilton Anxiety/Depression Scale scores before and after tTIS treatment. Through this, we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this therapeutic approach in subjects suffered from NMOSD-related neuropathic pain.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 12
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Jun GUO, Dr; Phone Number: (86)13991269132; Email: guojun_81@163.com

Study Locations

• China
  • Shaanxi
    • Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, 710038
      • Recruiting
      • Tangdu Hospital
      • Contact: Jun GUO, Dr; Phone Number: (86)13991269132; Email: guojun_81@163.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with NMOSD in accordance with the criteria of the International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis (IPND).
• Patients were complicated with neuropathic pain, with a DN4 score ≥ 4.
• NRS score for pain ≥ 4 points, and neuropathic pain has persisted for more than 3 months.
• Patients receiving biological therapy and/or prednisone at a stable dose, with no adjustment of the treatment plan within 30 days before enrollment.
• Patients who have not adjusted any combination of standard analgesic drugs (including antiepileptic drugs, antidepressants, and opioid drugs) within 30 days before enrollment.
• Patients or their family members who have signed a written informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects participating in other clinical studies.
• Subjects who have used investigational drugs for pain control within 30 days before enrollment.
• Subjects with a concurrent diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.
• Subjects with concurrent active central nervous system diseases.
• Subjects with cognitive or mental disorders.
• Subjects who are pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant during the study period.
• Subjects with severe diseases related to the heart, liver, kidneys, or hematopoietic system.
• Subjects with implanted devices in the body (such as cardiac pacemakers, nerve stimulators, etc.).
• Subjects with a history of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) allergy, latex allergy, or previous intolerance.
• Subjects with contraindications to MRI examination.
• Subjects with head skin lesions.
• Other medical conditions or situations that the researcher deems may affect the achievement of the study objectives.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Transcranial Current Stimulation (tTIS) Targeting Ventral Posterolateral Nucleus for Pain Treatment; tTIS (10Hz envelope field, current intensity 2-4mA) targeted at ventral posterolateral nucleus (contralateral to the pain side) for 5 consecutive days (20 minutes/ day)	Device: 10Hz tTIS (2-4mA) Intervention; tTIS (10Hz envelope field, current intensity 2-4mA)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in numerical rating scale (NRS) score	Patients are followed up and NRS score is determined. In general, the minimum and maximum scores of NRS are 0 and 10, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.	Baseline, immediately after 5 consecutive treatments, 1 week after treatment, 2 weeks after treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in visual analog scale (VAS) score	Patients are followed up and VAS score is determined. In general, the minimum and maximum scores of VAS are 0 and 10, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.	Baseline, immediately after 5 consecutive treatments, 1 week after treatment, 2 weeks after treatment
Change from baseline in patient global impression of change (PGIC) score	Patients are followed up and PGIC score is determined. In general, the minimum and maximum scores of PGIC are 1 and 7, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.	Immediately after 5 consecutive treatments, 1 week after treatment, 2 weeks after treatment
Change from baseline in short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) score	Patients are followed up and SF-MPQ score is determined. In general, the minimum and maximum scores of SF-MPQ are 0 and 45, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.	Baseline, immediately after 5 consecutive treatments, 1 week after treatment, 2 weeks after treatment
Change from baseline in Penn spasm frequency scale (PSFS) score	Patients are followed up and PSFS score is determined. In general, spasm frequency and spasm severity are evaluated. The minimum and maximum scores of spasm frequency are 0 and 4, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome. The minimum and maximum scores of spasm severity are 1 and 3, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.	Baseline, immediately after 5 consecutive treatments, 1 week after treatment, 2 weeks after treatment
Change from baseline in Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) score	Patients are followed up and HAMA score is determined. In general, the minimum and maximum scores of HAMA are 0 and 56, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.	Baseline, immediately after 5 consecutive treatments, 1 week after treatment, 2 weeks after treatment
Change from baseline in Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) score	Patients are followed up and HAMD score is determined. In general, the minimum and maximum scores of HAMD are 0 and 54, respectively, with higher scores meaning a worse outcome.	Baseline, immediately after 5 consecutive treatments, 1 week after treatment, 2 weeks after treatment
Adverse events	tTIS-related adverse events (AEs), such as headache, scalp irritation, rash, epilepsy, are evaluated and the rate of AEs is recorded.	Baseline up to 2 weeks after treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Tang-Du Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 8, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 8, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 22, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 29, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 22, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Eye Diseases; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Demyelinating Diseases; Myelitis, Transverse; Optic Neuritis; Optic Nerve Diseases; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Neuromyelitis Optica; Investigative Techniques; Methods
• Other Study ID Numbers: K202512-50

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No