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Analgesic Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for Central Neuropathic Pain in Multiple Sclerosis

Phase 3
Conditions
Multiple Sclerosis With Central Neuropathic Pain
Interventions
Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Registration Number
NCT02059096
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
Brief Summary

This study is designed to evaluate the effect of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in the resolution of chronic pain. Participants will be patients with Multiple Sclerosis suffering from chronic pain of neurological origin.

Detailed Description

On the one hand, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent chronic disease generating neurological disability in young adults. Among the many types of disabilities associated with MS, chronic pain is very frequent, especially neuropathic pain. This type of pain is often treatment resistant. Moreover, abnormal intra-cortical excitability has been described in MS patients.

On the other hand, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has shown an analgesic effect in various chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, post-stroke, peripheral neuropathic pain). Three groups have shown that analgesia was correlated to defective intra-cortical excitability restoration.

The goal of this study is to compare the analgesic effects of two types of primary Motor cortex (M1) rTMS, namely 10Hz and prolonged continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation (pcTBS), with sham stimulation.

Patients will benefit from 1 daily session per day for 5 consecutive days and from a total follow up of 4 weeks. Pain will be assessed each day and several other signs and symptoms will be repeatedly assessed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
66
Inclusion Criteria
  • relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis
  • 18 to 60 years
  • central neuropathic pain with a DN4 score of 4 or more out of 10
  • average pain of at least 4/10
  • presence of pain at least 4 days per week
  • presence of pain for at least 3 months
  • stable analgesic treatment
Exclusion Criteria
  • relapse during the previous 30 days
  • contraindication for rTMS
  • peripheral neuropathic pain
  • severe depression
  • epilepsia
  • resting motor threshold above 75%

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Theta-Burst Stimulation (pcTBS)Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)The goal of this study is to compare the analgesic effects of two types of primary Motor cortex (M1) rTMS, namely 10Hz and prolonged continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation (pcTBS), with sham stimulation.
repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)placeboRepetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)The goal of this study is to compare the analgesic effects of two types of primary Motor cortex (M1) rTMS, namely 10Hz and prolonged continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation (pcTBS), with sham stimulation.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)The goal of this study is to compare the analgesic effects of two types of primary Motor cortex (M1) rTMS, namely 10Hz and prolonged continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation (pcTBS), with sham stimulation
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in "average pain" score on the brief pain inventoryat day 8

Variation of the "Average pain" score on the Brief Pain Inventory between before treatment (on a 7 days period) and day 8.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intra-cortical excitability evaluated by motor threshold, MEP amplitude, SICI and ICFat week 3 and 4
change from baseline in "average pain" score on the brief pain inventoryat weekk 3 and 4

Variation of the average pain at several time-points during the 4 weeks follow-up

Location of MRI abnormalitiesat week 3 and 4

Correlation between pain and pain decrease with MRI abnormalities in several regions of interest

Number of participants with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerabilityat day 1
change from baseline in specific questionnairesat day 8, week 3 and 4

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

CHU Ambroise Paré

🇫🇷

Boulogne-Billancourt, France

CHU de Clermont-Ferrand

🇫🇷

Clermont-Ferrand, France

Hôpital Henri Mondor

🇫🇷

Créteil, France

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