NCT05492188

Neuropathic Pain and Operant Conditioning of Cutaneous Reflexes After SCI

Targeted Spinal Cord Plasticity for Alleviating SCI-related Neuropathic Pain

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of the second part of the study is to examine the effect of reflex training in the leg to decrease neuropathic pain. For this, the researchers are recruiting 15 individuals with neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury to participate in the reflex training procedure. The study involves approximately 50 visits with a total study duration of about 6.5 months (3 months for baseline and training phases followed by 1 month and 3 month follow-up visits).

Detailed description

As part of the larger study of the relationship between reflexes in the leg and the presence of neuropathic pain, the researchers are also recruiting 30 individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) total, 15 individuals with neuropathic pain due to SCI and 15 individuals without neuropathic pain. For this portion of the study, there are 2 visits. The first visit will examine cutaneous reflexes in the leg. During the second visit, the study team will assess sensation in the leg and administer questionnaires about pain, functioning, and quality of life. This portion of the study does not involve an intervention. The study will then recruit 15 individuals who will participate in reflex training, as described in the brief summary.

Conditions

• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Neuropathic Pain
• Neurological Injury
• Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Operant Conditioning of Cutaneous Reflexes	This is a training intervention in which people with a spinal cord injury are trained to change (increase or decrease) the activity of a certain spinal reflex. By changing this reflex, it is hypothesized that individuals can reduce pain due to spinal cord injury.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-27
• Primary completion: 2026-10-01
• Completion: 2026-10-01
• First posted: 2022-08-08
• Last updated: 2025-10-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States