Brain Connectivity Changes With Spinal Cord Stimulation and Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Resting State NIRS/EEG Study

Description

This study aims to assess how use of spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic pain impacts brain structure and function. The investigators will use a non-invasive neuroimaging technique called resting state Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Electroencephalography (rs-fNIRS/EEG). The investigators will enroll Veterans who are currently receiving care at the Medical Center and who are either long term users of SCS for the treatment of their chronic pain or being evaluated for use of SCS to treat their pain.

Conditions

Neuropathic Pain

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This study aims to assess how use of spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic pain impacts brain structure and function. The investigators will use a non-invasive neuroimaging technique called resting state Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Electroencephalography (rs-fNIRS/EEG). The investigators will enroll Veterans who are currently receiving care at the Medical Center and who are either long term users of SCS for the treatment of their chronic pain or being evaluated for use of SCS to treat their pain.

Brain Connectivity Changes With Spinal Cord Stimulation Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Resting State NIRS/EEG Study

Brain Connectivity Changes With Spinal Cord Stimulation and Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Resting State NIRS/EEG Study

Condition
Neuropathic Pain
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Cleveland

Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44106-1702

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

  • * 18 years of age and a US veteran
  • * Diagnosis of chronic neuropathic pain.
  • * Current patient at Cleveland VA Medical Center receiving care via Pain Medicine Center.
  • * Current user of tonic parasthesia-based SCS (pain relief 50% according to NPRS) or undergoing trial SCS period as part of clinical care.
  • * Able to provide informed consent.
  • * Medically and psychologically stable.
  • * Metal in the skull or deformity of the skull
  • * Pregnancy or pregnancy planning during the study period.
  • * Unable to provide informed consent.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Svetlana Pundik, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

Study Record Dates

2025-07-01