Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm; Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy; Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Treatments: Other: Survey Administration; Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Procedure: Sham Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07673614

UMCC 2025.097

HUM00276508 (Other Identifier)

NCI-2026-03995 (Registry Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This clinical trial tests how well a type of non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) works to treat chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer survivors. CIPN is numbness, tingling, pain, and movement problems that can develop after chemotherapy as a result of changes to the nerves. A non-invasive form of brain stimulation called tDCS, applied to the area of the brain involved in sensation and movement, can temporarily improve the ability to detect vibration and temperature, as well as balance and walking, which may improve sensation and reduce pain in cancer survivors with CIPN.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 to 85 years of age
• Diagnosis of cancer, stages I-IV
• Cancer survivor (not currently receiving chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy)
• Presence of CIPN defined as new, length-dependent numbness, tingling, and/or pain that developed with neurotoxic chemotherapy
• CIPN20 score ≥ 20
• Able to walk unassisted
• Proficient in English

Exclusion criteria

• Known brain metastases
• Known neurological conditions aside from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
• History of brain or spinal surgery
• Neuropathy other than CIPN
• Significant hearing or vision deficits
• Vestibulopathy
• Currently receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy
• Contraindications to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), including recent seizures
• Presence of metallic objects in the head
• Presence of specific implanted medical devices (e.g., deep brain stimulator, cochlear implant, vagus nerve stimulator, spinal cord stimulator, pacemakers, and intracardiac devices)
• Active scalp dermatological conditions

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Arm I (active tDCS)

Experimental group

Description:

Patients undergo tDCS to the sensorimotor cortex, using the Starstim-8™ system, for 20 minutes. One week later, patients cross-over to Arm II.

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Other: Survey Administration

Arm II (sham tDCS)

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Patients undergo sham tDCS to the sensorimotor cortex, using the Starstim-8™ system, for 20 minutes. One week later, patients cross-over to Arm I.

Treatment:

Procedure: Sham Intervention

Other: Survey Administration