Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Neuropathic Symptoms Due to Burn Injury

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Burn Injury; Pain
• Interventions: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

• Registration Number: NCT01404026
• Lead Sponsor: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the neuropathic symptoms (pain/itch) due to a burn injury. The investigators hypothesize that the active tDCS group will show a significant pain/itch reduction when compared to sham stimulation.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-06
• Study First Submitted: 2011-06-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-07-26
• Study First Posted: 2011-07-27
• Primary Completion: 2012-01
• Study Completion: 2012-01
• Status Verified: 2020-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-04-23
• Last Update Posted: 2020-04-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 3

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sham tDCS	Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Subjects will undergo sham tDCS stimulation, where the current is only active for 30 seconds.
Active tDCS	Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Subjects will undergo 20 minutes of active tDCS stimulation.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Effect of tDCS on pain/itch perception	Measured for approximately 2 weeks	Determine whether active tDCS offers a greater benefit on pain reduction in patients with neuropathic symptoms (itch/pain) following burns as compared with sham tDCS. We hypothesize that active tDCS will be associated with a larger pain/itch reduction, as indexed by the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain/Itch (VAS). The subject's VAS score will be measured immediately before the tDCS stimulation sessions and after the tDCS stimulation sessions for the duration of their participation in the trial.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Effect of tDCS on motor cortex excitability	Measured for approximately 2 weeks.	To investigate whether active tDCS induces changes in motor cortex and spinal cord excitability as indexed by single and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as compared with sham tDCS. We will also determine whether these changes are correlated with the clinical outcome (pain/itch reduction). The subject's cortical excitability will be measured immediately before the tDCS stimulation sessions and after the tDCS stimulation sessions for the duration of their participation in the trial.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States