Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Midline Versus Dorsolateral Spinal Cord Stimulation for Post-surgical Neuropathic Pain

This research is investigating a new approach to spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for people experiencing persistent nerve pain after an operation. This type of pain often doesn't get better with usual treatments like medication or physiotherapy. The study aims to find out if a newer type of SCS, called dorsolateral spinal cord stimulation (DL-SCS), is better at targeting pain in a specific area compared to traditional SCS or no treatment at all. Participants will try different stimulation patterns over several weeks and report how much their pain changes. The goal is to improve how we manage ongoing nerve pain that follows surgery and is difficult to treat.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2030

Pain, Postoperative Neuropathic Pain

What is this study about?

Imagine you've had surgery, and even after it's healed, you're left with ongoing pain that feels like burning, tingling, or shooting sensations. This is called neuropathic pain, and it happens when nerves are damaged. Standard treatments sometimes don't fully help this kind of pain, which can be very difficult to live with.

Doctors sometimes use a treatment called spinal cord stimulation (SCS), where a small device sends gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses can change the pain signals going to your brain, helping to reduce your pain. Current SCS treatments can be very effective, but sometimes the stimulation spreads over a larger area than where the pain is.

This study is looking at a new, more precise way to deliver this stimulation, called dorsolateral spinal cord stimulation (DL-SCS). The idea is that by targeting the stimulation more specifically, it might be even better at relieving pain that is focused on one area after surgery. The researchers want to compare this newer DL-SCS with traditional SCS and also with a period of no stimulation, to see which approach works best for people whose post-surgery nerve pain hasn't improved with other methods.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new way to treat long-lasting nerve pain after surgery.
It compares two types of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and no treatment.
The goal is to find a more precise way to relieve pain in a specific area.
Participants will have a device implanted and try different stimulation patterns.
You will help researchers understand if this new method improves pain for those who haven't responded to other treatments.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to have ongoing nerve pain that started after a surgical procedure. This pain should have been present for more than six months and hasn't gotten better with other treatments, like medicines or physical therapy. A key part is that at least half of your pain should be in just one specific body part, for example, one arm or leg, or one side of your body.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For instance, if you've already had a spinal cord stimulator implanted before, or if you have certain medical conditions like untreated mental health issues, serious ongoing infections, or uncontrolled cancer. Also, if your pain could be fixed by another surgery, or if you have problems that would make an MRI scan unsafe, this study wouldn't be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I have ongoing nerve pain that started after surgery?
Has my pain lasted for more than six months and not improved with other treatments?
Is a significant part (at least half) of my pain in one specific body area (e.g., one arm, one leg, or one side of my body)?
Have I not had a spinal cord stimulator implanted before?
Do I have any serious untreated medical or mental health conditions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, doctors will first surgically implant two small wires, called electrodes, near your spinal cord. You won't feel anything once they're in. Over several weeks, you will try different patterns of electrical stimulation from these wires. You'll switch between these patterns, including the new type of stimulation (DL-SCS), traditional SCS, and periods of no stimulation, in a random order. Throughout the study, you'll be asked to rate your pain level after each different stimulation pattern. The total duration of your active participation will involve these periods of trying different stimulations and reporting your pain.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you a chance to find an effective way to manage your ongoing post-surgical nerve pain, potentially leading to less pain and a better quality of life. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with the implantation of the stimulator wires, such as infection or bleeding, though these are rare. You also have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Queen Elizabeth Health Science Centre
Verified postcode
Halifax, Canada

Common questions

What is nerve pain?

Nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, is caused by damage to the nerves. It often feels like burning, shooting, tingling, or electric shocks.

What is spinal cord stimulation (SCS)?

SCS is a treatment where a small device sends gentle electrical pulses to your spinal cord to help reduce pain signals.

What does 'medically refractory' mean?

It means your pain has not improved despite trying various standard medical treatments like medications or physical therapy.

Will I know which treatment I'm getting?

Because this is a 'double-blind' study, neither you nor your study doctors will know which type of stimulation you are receiving at any given time.

What is a 'crossover trial'?

In a crossover trial, you will try all the different treatments being studied over different periods, acting as your own comparison.

How to find out more

Lutz Weise, MD, PhD

ally.klassen@nshealth.ca 902-472-6850 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.