RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Evaluation of the Safety of Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation in Parkinson's Patients Presenting With Painful Camptocormia

This study is investigating a treatment called electrical spinal cord stimulation for people with Parkinson's disease who experience painful camptocormia. Camptocormia is a condition where the body bends forward, especially when standing or walking, and often causes lower back pain. Many current treatments for camptocormia in Parkinson's, like adjusting medicines or exercises, often don't work as well as hoped. Electrical spinal cord stimulation is already used for long-term nerve pain, and some early reports suggest it might also help with posture and pain in Parkinson's patients with camptocormia. This study aims to check if this treatment is safe and effective for this group of patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital, Rouen

Enrolment target

Start

01 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2028

Parkinson Disease

What is this study about?

This study is designed to see if a treatment called electrical spinal cord stimulation (ESS) can safely help people with Parkinson's disease who have a specific problem called camptocormia. Camptocormia is when someone's body leans forward, particularly when they're standing or walking. This bending can be quite painful, especially in the lower back, and it tends to go away when they lie down. It's a common issue for many people with Parkinson's.

While there are some treatments for camptocormia, such as adjusting Parkinson's medications or trying injections and physical therapy, these often don't provide lasting relief. Some more complicated treatments, like deep brain stimulation, have been looked at, but there's still a need for better options. Electrical spinal cord stimulation works by sending small electrical pulses to the spinal cord, and it's already a well-known treatment for different types of long-term nerve pain.

Researchers are interested in ESS because some early reports from a few patients with Parkinson's and painful camptocormia have shown that it might help ease their pain and improve their posture and walking, especially when other treatments haven't had much success. This study wants to gather more information to understand if ESS is a safe and helpful option for a larger group of people with Parkinson's and this specific type of painful bent posture.

Key takeaways

The study explores a treatment called electrical spinal cord stimulation (ESS) for painful camptocormia in Parkinson's disease.
Camptocormia is a bent-over posture that causes pain, and current treatments often aren't fully effective.
ESS is already used for long-term nerve pain, and early reports suggest it might help Parkinson's patients with camptocormia.
The main goal is to find out if ESS is safe and can reduce pain and improve posture for this condition.
You must have Parkinson's, significant painful camptocormia, and stable medications to be eligible.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to have a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and experience camptocormia, which is a significant forward bending of your body that has been present for less than two years or has worsened recently. Your camptocormia must still be there even after trying your usual medications, and you must also have pain related to this posture, scoring at least 4 out of 10 on a pain scale in the last three months.

Your Parkinson's medications and any pain relief medicines you take must have been stable for the last four weeks. You need to be an adult (over 18), be part of a social security scheme, and be able to understand the study information and sign a consent form. If you are a woman of childbearing age, you'll need to use effective contraception and have a negative pregnancy test at the start of the study.

However, you cannot join if you have certain other conditions like atypical parkinsonism, if you cannot have surgery or anaesthesia, or if you have uncontrolled diabetes or an active infection. Severe memory problems (scoring below 25 on a MOCA test) or serious mental health conditions linked to Parkinson's would also prevent you from taking part.

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 Parkinson's disease?
Does my body bend forward significantly when standing or walking (camptocormia)?
Have I had this bent posture for less than two years, or has it gotten worse recently (under a year)?
Do I experience pain linked to this posture, scoring at least 4 out of 10?
Are my Parkinson's medications and pain relief stable for the last month?
Am I over 18 and able to understand study information?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The information provided only tells us who can or cannot join the study, but it doesn't describe what actually happens during the study itself. For example, it doesn't mention how many visits you would need, what types of assessments would be done, if you would receive the electrical spinal cord stimulation, how long you would be followed, or the total duration of the study. You would need to ask the study team for these details if you are considering taking part.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part could include an improvement in your painful camptocormia if the electrical spinal cord stimulation proves effective. This might lead to less pain and improved posture and walking. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with surgery and the placement of the spinal cord stimulator itself, such as infection or complications from anaesthesia. The study is also looking into the safety of this treatment. You would have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (4)

Chu Amiens
Verified postcode
Amiens, France· Recruiting
CHU CAEN
Verified postcode
Caen, France· Recruiting
Chu Lille
Verified postcode
Lille, France· Recruiting
Chu Rouen
Verified postcode
Rouen, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is camptocormia?

Camptocormia is when your body bends forward, especially when you stand or walk. It often causes pain in your lower back but usually gets better when you lie down.

What is electrical spinal cord stimulation (ESS)?

ESS is a treatment that uses small electrical pulses sent to your spinal cord to help with pain. It's already used for long-lasting nerve pain.

Why are doctors studying ESS for camptocormia?

Current treatments for camptocormia in Parkinson's often don't work very well, and some early reports suggest ESS might help with pain and posture.

Will I have surgery if I join this study?

The description mentions 'contraindication to surgery', which implies a surgical procedure is involved to place the spinal cord stimulator. You should ask the study team for full details.

Is ESS a new treatment?

ESS is a well-established treatment for chronic neuropathic pain, but its use for camptocormia in Parkinson's is still being studied.

How to find out more

Stéphane Derrey, Pr

stephane.derrey@chu-rouen.fr 02 32 88 80 42 Official trial record

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