Virtual Walking and Neuromulation to Reduce Neuropathic Pain After a Spinal Cord Injury
NCT ID: NCT07254767
Last Updated: 2025-11-28
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
10 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-12-01
2027-09-30
Brief Summary
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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.
Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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NA
SINGLE_GROUP
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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3-Phase Arm
Using repeated measurements over time, in three phases, i.e. an observation phase A, an intervention phase B and a post-intervention follow-up phase C, each participant will be his or her own control.
Phase A : consists of an observational period without intervention, aimed at establishing a baseline and gaining a clearer understanding of the individual characteristics and patterns of neuropathic pain in each participant.
Phase B : The intervention will be provided during Phase B. The intervention consists of starting neuromodulation 5min with tDCS alone, then adding virtual walking (virtual reality + corresponding somatosensory stimulation, via muscle vibration in the lower limbs) for the last 15min Phase C: follow up until 6monts post the end of the intervention.
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.
Interventions
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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.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* a score of ≥ 4/10 on the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4)
* classified AIS A to D
* neuropathic pain with an intensity of ≥ 4/10 on the simple numerical rating scale (This threshold is often chosen to better observe a potential analgesic effect)
Exclusion Criteria
* epilepsy,
* cancer,
* pacemaker,
* metallic implants in the brain or eyes,
* uncontrolled severe headaches,
* uncontrolled psychotic disorders,
* open scalp wounds,
* severe visual impairments. If participants have suffered a major traumatic brain injury with significant cognitive impairments, inclusion in the study will depend on the medical team's judgment. Finally, participants with allodynia in the areas where vibrators will be placed will not be included in the protocol
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Cyril Duclos
Professor
References
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Matamala-Gomez M, Donegan T, Bottiroli S, Sandrini G, Sanchez-Vives MV, Tassorelli C. Immersive Virtual Reality and Virtual Embodiment for Pain Relief. Front Hum Neurosci. 2019 Aug 21;13:279. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00279. eCollection 2019.
Austin PD, Craig A, Middleton JW, Tran Y, Costa DSJ, Wrigley PJ, Siddall PJ. The short-term effects of head-mounted virtual-reality on neuropathic pain intensity in people with spinal cord injury pain: a randomised cross-over pilot study. Spinal Cord. 2021 Jul;59(7):738-746. doi: 10.1038/s41393-020-00569-2. Epub 2020 Oct 19.
Burke D, Fullen BM, Stokes D, Lennon O. Neuropathic pain prevalence following spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pain. 2017 Jan;21(1):29-44. doi: 10.1002/ejp.905. Epub 2016 Jun 24.
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Sreeraj VS, Arumugham SS, Venkatasubramanian G. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Psychiatry. Indian J Psychiatry. 2023 Feb;65(2):289-296. doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_496_22. Epub 2023 Jan 30. No abstract available.
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Li C, Jirachaipitak S, Wrigley P, Xu H, Euasobhon P. Transcranial direct current stimulation for spinal cord injury-associated neuropathic pain. Korean J Pain. 2021 Apr 1;34(2):156-164. doi: 10.3344/kjp.2021.34.2.156.
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Le Franc S, Bonan I, Fleury M, Butet S, Barillot C, Lecuyer A, Cogne M. Visual feedback improves movement illusions induced by tendon vibration after chronic stroke. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2021 Oct 30;18(1):156. doi: 10.1186/s12984-021-00948-7.
Labbe, D. R., Kouakoua, K., Aissaoui, R., Nadeau, S., & Duclos, C. (2021). Proprioceptive Stimulation Added to a Walking Self-Avatar Enhances the Illusory Perception of Walking in Static Participants. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 2. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frvir.2021.557783
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Other Identifiers
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CRIR-2025-2084
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id