Trial Outcomes & Findings for Pilot Study of Transcranial Stimulation (tDCS)to Relieve Neuropathic Pain in Cancer Patients (NCT NCT01948050)

NCT ID: NCT01948050

Last Updated: 2014-07-14

Results Overview

Measured on the 11 point numerical paid rating scale with anchor points 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain possible. The outcome measure "Pain intensity" assessed as a change between baseline and post tDCS stimulation (after stimulation day 5). The calculated change in the range of positive numbers indicates decreased pain intensity post-treatment (eg. baseline 6; post treatment 4; change +2 indicating decrease of pain intensity by 2 points). Similarly, change in range of negative numbers indicates a worsening of pain intensity (eg. baseline 6; post treatment 8; change -2).

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

24 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Assessed at baseline and post tDCS stimulation day 5

Results posted on

2014-07-14

Participant Flow

191 subjects identified. 33 were ineligible at pre-screening; 40 not reacahble; 21 lost to follow-up; 3 deceased; 56 not interested. 38 subjects consented.

38 subjects consented; 8 screen failures; 6 never started; 24 were randomized. 1 subject withdrew after undergoing 4 of 5 tDCS/sham sessions. 23 completed randomized study.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Real tDCS Stimulation
non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2 milliamiampers (2mA)for 20 minutes at each session, on five consecutive days.
Sham tDCS
sham non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) consisting of 30 seconds of tDCS stimulation at 2mp and 19 minutes and 30 seconds of tdcs at 0mp stimulation,on five consecutive days.
Overall Study
STARTED
16
8
Overall Study
COMPLETED
16
7
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Real tDCS Stimulation
non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2 milliamiampers (2mA)for 20 minutes at each session, on five consecutive days.
Sham tDCS
sham non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) consisting of 30 seconds of tDCS stimulation at 2mp and 19 minutes and 30 seconds of tdcs at 0mp stimulation,on five consecutive days.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
0
1

Baseline Characteristics

Pilot Study of Transcranial Stimulation (tDCS)to Relieve Neuropathic Pain in Cancer Patients

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Real tDCS Stimulation
n=16 Participants
non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2 milliamiampers (2mA)for 20 minutes at each session, on five consecutive days.
Sham tDCS
n=8 Participants
sham non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) consisting of 30 seconds of tDCS stimulation at 2mp and 19 minutes and 30 seconds of tdcs at 0mp stimulation,on five consecutive days.
Total
n=24 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
8 Participants
n=7 Participants
21 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
56.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.4 • n=5 Participants
49.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.4 • n=7 Participants
54.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.2 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=7 Participants
11 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=7 Participants
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
16 participants
n=5 Participants
8 participants
n=7 Participants
24 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Assessed at baseline and post tDCS stimulation day 5

Measured on the 11 point numerical paid rating scale with anchor points 0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain possible. The outcome measure "Pain intensity" assessed as a change between baseline and post tDCS stimulation (after stimulation day 5). The calculated change in the range of positive numbers indicates decreased pain intensity post-treatment (eg. baseline 6; post treatment 4; change +2 indicating decrease of pain intensity by 2 points). Similarly, change in range of negative numbers indicates a worsening of pain intensity (eg. baseline 6; post treatment 8; change -2).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Real tDCS Stimulation
n=16 Participants
non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2 milliamiampers (2mA)for 20 minutes at each session, on five consecutive days.
Sham tDCS
n=8 Participants
sham non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) consisting of 30 seconds of tDCS stimulation at 2mp and 19 minutes and 30 seconds of tdcs at 0mp stimulation,on five consecutive days.
Pain Intensity
1.66 Points on numerical rating scale
Standard Error 0.49
1.60 Points on numerical rating scale
Standard Error 0.74

Adverse Events

Real tDCS Stimulation

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 10 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Sham tDCS

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 5 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Real tDCS Stimulation
n=16 participants at risk
non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2 milliamiampers (2mA)for 20 minutes at each session, on five consecutive days.
Sham tDCS
n=8 participants at risk
sham non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) consisting of 30 seconds of tDCS stimulation at 2mp and 19 minutes and 30 seconds of tdcs at 0mp stimulation,on five consecutive days.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Exacerbation of shortness of breath
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 2
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 2
Gastrointestinal disorders
Exacerbation of Pain due to rectal cellulitis
0.00%
0/16
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1
Psychiatric disorders
Transient change in mental status
0.00%
0/16
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Real tDCS Stimulation
n=16 participants at risk
non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at 2 milliamiampers (2mA)for 20 minutes at each session, on five consecutive days.
Sham tDCS
n=8 participants at risk
sham non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) consisting of 30 seconds of tDCS stimulation at 2mp and 19 minutes and 30 seconds of tdcs at 0mp stimulation,on five consecutive days.
General disorders
Headache
12.5%
2/16 • Number of events 2
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1
General disorders
Fatigue
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
General disorders
Transient Pain
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
General disorders
Interrupted Sleep
0.00%
0/16
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1
General disorders
Hypotension
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
General disorders
Dizziness
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
General disorders
Dry Mouth
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
General disorders
Numbness
0.00%
0/16
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1
General disorders
Worsening of Pain
0.00%
0/16
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1
General disorders
Tongue tingling
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Cellulitis
0.00%
0/16
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1
Nervous system disorders
Memory lapse
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Clear discharge from ear
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
Renal and urinary disorders
Urinary tract infection
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Flu-like symptoms
0.00%
0/16
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Tibial fracture
6.2%
1/16 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/8

Additional Information

Helena Knotkova, PhD

Beth Israel Medical Center

Phone: 212-844-8541

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place