Can a 20-Minute brain zap ease nerve pain?

NCT ID NCT06029075

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This small study tests whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tACS can reduce nerve pain in people with spinal cord injury. Fourteen participants will receive either real or sham stimulation for 20 minutes. Researchers will measure pain levels and heart rate changes to see if the treatment helps.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a drug-free way to manage chronic nerve pain after spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study with only 14 people, so results may not apply widely. The effect on pain is uncertain and may be no better than a placebo.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

neuralgia spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

NEUROPATHIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

Contacts and locations

Locations

The University of Texas Health Science Center
RECRUITING

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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