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tSCS and AR on Pain and Balance in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

1 de junho de 2026 atualizado por: Riphah International University

Combined Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS) and Augmented Reality (AR) Training on Pain and Balance in Diabetic Neuropathy Patients.

tSCS and AR-based training have individually shown benefits in neuromotor rehabilitation; no study to date has evaluated their combined effects on pain, balance, lower-limb strength, retention, and vibration sense in diabetic neuropathy. The rationale for combining them lies in their complementary mechanisms: tSCS at 30 Hz activates large-diameter Aβ afferents, inhibiting nociceptive input, enhancing spinal excitability, and facilitating motor activation.

Visão geral do estudo

Status

Ainda não está recrutando

Descrição detalhada

In Pakistan, 26.3% of the population is affected, and DN impacts about 40% of cases, with early signs reducing function. (9-11) Standard care includes glycemic control, medications like duloxetine and pregabalin, topical agents, and modalities such as TENS.

Alongside pain, lower-limb strength declines due to motor axonal degeneration and prolonged disuse, (1) limiting mobility and increasing the risk of falls. Balance impairments are frequent in DN and result from compromised proprioceptive input and impaired postural control mechanisms; (4) these deficits are exacerbated by pain-related inactivity and muscular weakness.

Augmented reality (AR) based rehabilitation delivers multisensory feedback, such as visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs, during interactive, task-specific training. It enhances sensorimotor coordination, dynamic postural stability, and proprioceptive reweighting. AR training can improve balance responses, promote lower-limb engagement, and reinforce accurate proprioceptive input.

The tSCS enabled stepping in individuals with complete motor loss, confirming its impact on lower-limb functional recovery. Additionally, this stimulation frequency targets mechano-sensory pathways associated with vibration sense and is believed to support retention of sensorimotor gains through repeated activation of neuroplastic mechanisms at the spinal and cortical levels.

Tipo de estudo

Intervencional

Inscrição (Estimado)

36

Estágio

  • Não aplicável

Contactos e Locais

Esta seção fornece os detalhes de contato para aqueles que conduzem o estudo e informações sobre onde este estudo está sendo realizado.

Contato de estudo

Estude backup de contato

Locais de estudo

    • Punjab Province
      • Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Paquistão
        • Pakistan Railway Hospital

Critérios de participação

Os pesquisadores procuram pessoas que se encaixem em uma determinada descrição, chamada de critérios de elegibilidade. Alguns exemplos desses critérios são a condição geral de saúde de uma pessoa ou tratamentos anteriores.

Critérios de elegibilidade

Idades elegíveis para estudo

  • Adulto
  • Adulto mais velho

Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis

Não

Descrição

Inclusion Criteria:

  • More than or equals to 4 score on Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire
  • More than or equals to 6 Hz at Neurothesiometer
  • More than or equals to 4 score on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cognitively compromised (MOCA ≤ 26/30)
  • Metallic implants at skull
  • Shunting
  • Skin allergy

Plano de estudo

Esta seção fornece detalhes do plano de estudo, incluindo como o estudo é projetado e o que o estudo está medindo.

Como o estudo é projetado?

Detalhes do projeto

  • Finalidade Principal: Tratamento
  • Alocação: Randomizado
  • Modelo Intervencional: Atribuição Paralela
  • Mascaramento: Nenhum (rótulo aberto)

Armas e Intervenções

Grupo de Participantes / Braço
Intervenção / Tratamento
Experimental: Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality Group
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation will be administered non-invasively using surface electrodes placed over the D12-L1 spinal segment. This segmental level has been shown to effectively engage lower-limb motor and sensory networks across multiple spinal segments. Stimulation will be delivered using the Soterix 1×1 Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TES) unit. Stimulation will be applied at a frequency range of 30 Hz. Pulse duration of 1 ms, and intensity will be set at 2 mA. A ramp-up and ramp-down time of 30 seconds will be used to enhance participant comfort during the start and end of each stimulation session, following standardized electrode placement and safety protocols.
AR-based rehabilitation will consist of interactive balance and coordination tasks conducted in a virtual environment, with real-time visual feedback provided to guide movement accuracy and postural control. The core training block will include five structured modules: interactive kicking exercises to promote ankle and knee coordination; color-target foot-reaching tasks to enhance proprioception and reaction time; virtual obstacle navigation to improve gait and stepping control; static and dynamic balance challenges, such as maintaining posture on virtual planks; and lower-limb strengthening activities, including squats and stepping-based games. Each module will be performed for 5-8 minutes, with brief rest periods between tasks.
Comparador Ativo: Augmented Reality Group
AR-based rehabilitation will consist of interactive balance and coordination tasks conducted in a virtual environment, with real-time visual feedback provided to guide movement accuracy and postural control. The core training block will include five structured modules: interactive kicking exercises to promote ankle and knee coordination; color-target foot-reaching tasks to enhance proprioception and reaction time; virtual obstacle navigation to improve gait and stepping control; static and dynamic balance challenges, such as maintaining posture on virtual planks; and lower-limb strengthening activities, including squats and stepping-based games. Each module will be performed for 5-8 minutes, with brief rest periods between tasks.
Comparador Ativo: Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation Group
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation will be administered non-invasively using surface electrodes placed over the D12-L1 spinal segment. This segmental level has been shown to effectively engage lower-limb motor and sensory networks across multiple spinal segments. Stimulation will be delivered using the Soterix 1×1 Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TES) unit. Stimulation will be applied at a frequency range of 30 Hz. Pulse duration of 1 ms, and intensity will be set at 2 mA. A ramp-up and ramp-down time of 30 seconds will be used to enhance participant comfort during the start and end of each stimulation session, following standardized electrode placement and safety protocols.

O que o estudo está medindo?

Medidas de resultados primários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Prazo: Up to week 5 (baseline/week 1/week 5)
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a quick, 11-point measure (0 = no pain to 10 = worst imaginable) commonly used across clinical and research settings. Recent studies demonstrate test-retest reliability ranging from 0.58 to 0.93 (good to excellent), with moderate evidence for a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 1.5-2.5 points.
Up to week 5 (baseline/week 1/week 5)
Time Up and Go (TUG)
Prazo: Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)
The TUG test is a simple, clinically validated tool used to assess dynamic balance and functional mobility. It requires an individual to rise from a seated position, walk three meters, turn, return, and sit down. The TUG demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 across multiple trials.
Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)

Medidas de resultados secundários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
30 Second Chair Stand Test
Prazo: Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)
The 30-Second Chair Stand Test is a widely used, performance-based tool for assessing lower-limb strength and functional mobility. Among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a population commonly affected by diabetic neuropathy, the test has demonstrated excellent reliability. A test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.92, indicating excellent relative reliability. In terms of measurement precision, the standard error of measurement (SEM) was 1.08 repetitions, and the smallest real difference (SRD) was 3 repetitions, reflecting the threshold for clinically meaningful change.
Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)
Neurothesiometer
Prazo: Up to week 5 (Baseline/Week 1/week 5)
The neurothesiometer is a non-invasive and reliable instrument used to assess vibration perception threshold (VPT). It has demonstrated excellent reliability, with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) exceeding 0.90, indicating strong measurement consistency. A VPT cut-off value of ≥ 6 Hz is indicative of neuropathy. Owing to its ease of use, objective quantification, and ability to detect subclinical neuropathy, the neurothesiometer is highly valuable in clinical practice. Its superior standardization makes it a preferred method for evaluating protective sensation and vibration loss, particularly in individuals with diabetes.
Up to week 5 (Baseline/Week 1/week 5)

Colaboradores e Investigadores

É aqui que você encontrará pessoas e organizações envolvidas com este estudo.

Investigadores

  • Investigador principal: Mirza Obaid Baig, MSPT, Riphah International University

Publicações e links úteis

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Publicações Gerais

Datas de registro do estudo

Essas datas acompanham o progresso do registro do estudo e os envios de resumo dos resultados para ClinicalTrials.gov. Os registros do estudo e os resultados relatados são revisados ​​pela National Library of Medicine (NLM) para garantir que atendam aos padrões específicos de controle de qualidade antes de serem publicados no site público.

Datas Principais do Estudo

Início do estudo (Estimado)

15 de junho de 2026

Conclusão Primária (Estimado)

31 de dezembro de 2026

Conclusão do estudo (Estimado)

31 de janeiro de 2027

Datas de inscrição no estudo

Enviado pela primeira vez

30 de abril de 2026

Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ

1 de junho de 2026

Primeira postagem (Real)

2 de junho de 2026

Atualizações de registro de estudo

Última Atualização Postada (Real)

2 de junho de 2026

Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade

1 de junho de 2026

Última verificação

1 de junho de 2026

Mais Informações

Termos relacionados a este estudo

Plano para dados de participantes individuais (IPD)

Planeja compartilhar dados de participantes individuais (IPD)?

NÃO

Informações sobre medicamentos e dispositivos, documentos de estudo

Estuda um medicamento regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Estuda um produto de dispositivo regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

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