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Virtual Walking and Neuromulation to Reduce Neuropathic Pain After a Spinal Cord Injury

NCT07254767 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 10

Last updated 2025-11-28

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this single-subject design is to evaluate an intervention combining neuromodulation, virtual reality, and muscle vibration to reduce neuropathic pain in individuals following a spinal cord injury.

The investigators aim to quantify the effects of the intervention on the intensity and characteristics of neuropathic pain, as well as its impact on daily functioning in individuals undergoing SCI rehabilitation. Additionally, the investigators seek to gain a better understanding of participants' experiences with the intervention by exploring effects not captured by standardized questionnaires, and by examining the role and meaning of the intervention in their management and experience of pain.

Finally, the investigators aim to assess the feasibility and clinical relevance of implementing this intervention in a rehabilitation setting.

All participants living with neuropathic pain following a spinal cord injury will take part in ten intervention sessions. They will also be invited to complete standardized questionnaires and participate in a semi-structured interview. In addition, their clinicians will be invited to participate in a focus group.

Conditions

  • Neuropathic Pain

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with virtual reality and muscle vibration

tDCS will be delivered over the primary motor cortex (M1) to maximize the analgesic effect. The cathode will be positioned over the suborbital region, and the anode over M1 (position C3 or C4 of the international 10-20 system). A 2 mA direct current will be applied. Participants will observe, through virtual reality goggles (HTC Vive), an avatar walking from a first-person perspective, synchronized with the vibration pattern. Twelve vibrators will be placed transversely and bilaterally over the tendons of the main flexors and extensors of the lower limbs. The pattern used to trigger the vibrators is based on the natural sequence of gait movement. Muscle vibration induces a perception of movement in the direction of muscle elongation. The target frequency of the vibrators will be 80 Hz. The session will begin with 5 minutes of tDCS alone, and then for the last 15minutes the investigators will combine tDCS, virtual reality and muscle vibration.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-12-01
Primary Completion
2027-05-31
Completion
2027-09-30

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07254767 on ClinicalTrials.gov