Burst of hope: new brain stimulation tackles stubborn pain

NCT ID NCT05204472

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests a new type of deep brain stimulation called 'Burst-DBS' for people with long-term facial pain or pain after a stroke. Twenty adults will have electrodes placed in the thalamus (a pain-related brain area) and try both standard and burst stimulation patterns. The goal is to see if burst stimulation reduces pain more effectively.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Burst deep brain stimulation (DBS) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new way to reduce chronic pain after stroke or facial nerve damage.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early feasibility trial with only 20 people. The procedure involves brain surgery, which carries risks like infection or bleeding. The new stimulation pattern may not work better than standard DBS.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

neuralgia postherpetic neuralgia trigeminal neuralgia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CENTRAL POST-STROKE PAIN NEUROPATHIC PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dep. of Neurosurgery, Bern University Hospital
RECRUITING

Bern, 3000, Switzerland

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