Neuropathic Pain and Operant Conditioning of Cutaneous Reflexes After SCI

Description

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).

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries, Neuropathic Pain, Neurological Injury, Pain

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

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).

Targeted Spinal Cord Plasticity for Alleviating SCI-related Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic Pain and Operant Conditioning of Cutaneous Reflexes After SCI

Condition
Spinal Cord Injuries
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Charleston

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. neurologically stable (\>1 year post SCI)
  • 2. medical clearance to participate
  • 3. ability to stand with or without an assistive device for at least 3 minutes at a time
  • 4. expectation that current medication will be maintained without change for at least 3 months (stable use of anti-spasticity medication is accepted)
  • 5. For participants with neuropathic pain, the area of neuropathic pain must include lower leg.
  • 1. motoneuron injury
  • 2. known cardiac condition
  • 3. medically unstable condition (incl. pregnancy)
  • 4. cognitive impairment
  • 5. uncontrolled peripheral neuropathy
  • 6. frequent use of electrical spinal stimulation (either transcutaneous or epidural) for pain treatment
  • 7. daily use of electrical stimulation to the leg
  • 8. complete lack of cutaneous sensation around foot.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Medical University of South Carolina,

Aiko Thompson, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Medical University of South Carolina

Study Record Dates

2026-10-01