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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Not Applicable
Conditions
Facial Pain
Interventions
Device: TMS
Device: sham TMS coil
Registration Number
NCT04120129
Lead Sponsor
Carilion Clinic
Brief Summary

The primary objective is to establish the feasibility of using TMS for COFP pain management in the interim period before surgery. This will be investigated by comparing the non-intervention group's self-reported pain to those who recieved TMS at several timepoints.

Detailed Description

Participants will be randomized to either receive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Sham-TMS (a non-therapeutic TMS coil which sounds and feels similar to normal TMS), or standard treatment during the weeks of wait time before surgery for chronic orofacial pain (COFP). TMS is a noninvasive, painless magnetic device which, when applied to the head for a few minutes, has been shown to reduce pain in people with COFP. The sham TMS is a sub-therapeutic level of magnetcic stimulation which makes the same sound as normal TMS and causes a similar tingling of the skin.

Both those who receive this new pain intervention and those who do not will be asked to fill out a short online survey about their pain at several points during the study. The survey takes about 10 minutes to fill out and each of the 5 TMS sessions last 10 minutes.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
51
Inclusion Criteria
  • Documented diagnosis of classic trigeminal neuralgia or persisten idiopathic facial pain
  • Considered an appropriate candidate for surgical or stereotactic intervention - microvascular decompression or stereotactic radiosurgery- ( includes factors such as overall health, chronic medication, comorbidities) and patient preference
  • Between ages 18-100
  • Able to participate in 5 consecutive TMS treatments
  • Has at least 3 weeks between pre-op visit and scheduled date of surgery
  • Able to provide consent and complete online questionnaires on their own
Exclusion Criteria
  • Multiple Sclerosis or trauma-related etiology of facial pain (i.e. secondary facial pain)
  • contraindication to TMS, per device guidelines:

Metallic implant in or near head Implanted stimulator on or near head recent suicidal ideation history of epilepsy, stroke, or unexplained seizure

  • Need for urgent/emergent surgical decompression.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
TMS treatmentTMSparticipants receive TMS treatment
sham TMSsham TMS coilparticipants receive control TMS treatment
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changed Pain assessed by self reported measures: Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2)7 months

The primary objective is to establish the effectiveness of TMS for COFP pain management in the interim period before surgery. This will be investigated by comparing the non-intervention group's self-reported pain to those who received TMS at several timepoints. Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2)will be used. The scale asks participants to identify their pain level across body areas and total from 0-10 (0 being none \& 10 worst possible)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Length of altered pain7 months

A secondary objective is to establish how long the effects of TMS last. This will be done by comparing self-reported pain scores prior to TMS, after TMS and at several timepoints thereafter in those who recieved the treatment. Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2) will be used. The scale asks participants to identify their pain level across body areas and total from 0-10 (0 being none \& 10 worst possible)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute for Orthopedics and Neurosciences

🇺🇸

Roanoke, Virginia, United States

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