Depolarising Electrical Skin Stimulation in Neuropathic and Postoperative Pain

Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Neuropathy;Peripheral

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: neurophysiology

Study type: Observational

Funder types: NETWORK

Identifiers

NCT03037684

2016-15

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to evaluate voltage gated sodium channel (NaV1.7) dependent pain phenomena in neuropathic pain and chronic postoperative pain.

Full description

Sinus-like electrical stimulation may depolarize unmyelinated skin nociceptors involving NaV1.7 channels. In this case electrical stimulation may provoke pain already with very low currency intensity which normally not provoke pain in healthy subjects. This may be predictive for pain relief due to the sodium channel blocker lidocaine 5% patch.

The study will characterize pain states in peripheral neuropathic pain as well as within the painful scar in chronic postoperative pain with regard to the involvement of NaV1.7 channels.

In addition, the pain site in chronic postoperative pain (scar) will be characterized by laser-evoked potentials (LEP) and quantitative sensory testing (QST).

Pain related questionnaires will be obtained.

Enrollment: 75 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Group (1) patients with neuropathic pain
• Group (2) patients with chronic postoperative pain

Exclusion Criteria (both Groups):

• severe psychiatric disorder requiring hospitalisation in the past
• any neurological disease other than the pain diagnosis

Trial design

75 participants in 2 patient groups

chronic pain

Description:

individuals suffering from chronic pain

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: neurophysiology

neuropathic pain

Description:

individuals suffering from neuropathic pain

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: neurophysiology