PAS for Post-SCI Neuropathic Pain

Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Neuropathic Pain

Spinal Cord Injury Cervical

Treatments

Device: long-term paired associative stimulation

Device: sham long-term paired associative stimulation

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05362422

TYH2020244

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigators have shown in incomplete SCI patients that long-term paired associative stimulation is capable of restoring voluntary control over some paralyzed muscles and enhancing motor output in the weak muscles. In this study, the investigators will administer long-term paired associative stimulation to patients with incomplete cervical level SCI and SCI- associated neuropathic pain, and investigate its effectiveness for neuropathic pain treatment.

Enrollment

5 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 75 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

incomplete cervical spinal cord injury
time from injury at least 1.5 years
chronic SCI- induced neuropathic pain in the upper limb

Exclusion criteria

Diagnosed brain damage, visible in MRI or CT.
No activity in hands/fingers and no MEPs recorded from distal hand muscles.
Epilepsy
Metal inclusion in the head area
High intracranial pressure
Pacemaker
Implanted hearing device
Progressive diseases of spinal cord or brain (e.g. malignant tumors, degenerative diseases).
Previous head or spinal cord injury affecting the motor performance of upper extremities.
Congenital anomaly in the anatomical structure of spinal canal/cord or dura.
Significant systemic disease or other condition that could cause neurological deficit, or may affect subject's capability to undergo investigation-related procedures.
Acute severe infection.
Contraindications for MRI.
Current severe psychiatric diseases.
Current chronic drug and/or alcohol abuse.
Pregnancy.
Pressure ulcer affecting the subject's capability to undergo the procedure safely