Zapping the brain to loosen stiff legs and quiet nerve pain in MS?

NCT ID NCT07786506

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
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Status unknown
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First seen Aug 26, 2026 · Last updated Aug 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) can reduce lower-limb spasticity and neuropathic pain in people with multiple sclerosis. About 40 adults with MS and significant leg stiffness and pain will receive either active iTBS or a sham (inactive) procedure over five sessions in one week. Researchers will measure changes in spasticity, pain, and nerve function at two and four weeks after treatment to see if the stimulation provides meaningful relief.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) delivered via a magnetic stimulator
What this could lead to
If effective, this non-invasive brain stimulation technique could offer a drug-free way to reduce leg spasticity and neuropathic pain in people with multiple sclerosis.
What could go wrong
This is a small early-stage trial with only 40 participants and a short treatment course, so results may not be conclusive or widely applicable. The procedure is generally safe but may cause mild discomfort or temporary effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 40 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Aug 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Oct 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis according to the 2024 McDonald criteria. * Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score from 2.5 to 6.0. * Clinically significant spasticity in at least one muscle group of the more affected lower limb, defined as a Modified Tardieu Scale quality of muscle reaction score of at least 2 at velocity V3. * Lower-limb pain intensity of at least 4/10 on a 0-10 Visual Analogue Scale at screening. * Stable pharmacological treatment, including disease-modifying therapy, for at least 3 months before enrolment. * Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Epilepsy or another condition associated with an increased risk of seizure. * Metallic implants, implanted electronic devices, or other conditions contraindicating transcranial magnetic stimulation. * Clinical relapse of multiple sclerosis within 30 days before enrolment. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

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

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

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  2. The official record

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • 2nd Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava and University Hospital Bratislava

    Bratislava, 83305, Slovakia

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