Electric pulses in the spine may ease diabetic nerve pain
NCT ID NCT03228420
First seen Jul 21, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial compares a spinal cord stimulation device (HF10 therapy) plus standard medical care against standard care alone for people with long-term, hard-to-treat leg pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. About 430 adults with stable pain levels and no major neurological changes are being randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The main goal is to see if more people in the stimulation group achieve at least a 50% reduction in pain without developing new nerve problems.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a device that delivers 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation (HF10 therapy)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new, non-drug option for people with painful diabetic neuropathy who do not get enough relief from standard treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a post-market study, so the device is already approved, but it may not work for everyone and carries surgical risks like infection or lead migration.
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
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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
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430 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2017
- Finished
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Nov 2022
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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22 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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: 1. Have been clinically diagnosed with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) of the lower limbs. 2. Average pain intensity of ≥ 5 out of 10 cm on the VAS in the lower extremities at enrollment. 3. Have stable neurological status. 4. Be on a stable analgesic regimen. 5. Be 22 years of age or older at the time of enrollment. 6. Be an appropriate candidate for the surgical procedures required in this study. 7. Be capable of subjective evaluation, able to read and understand English-written questionnaires, and able to read, understand and sign the written informed consent in English. 8. Be willing and capable of giving informed consent. 9. Be willing and able to comply with study-related requirements, procedures, and scheduled visits. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Have a diagnosis of a lower limb mononeuropathy, have had a lower limb amputation, or have large (≥3 cm) and/or gangrenous ulcers of the lower limbs. 2. Have a BMI ≥ 40. 3. Currently prescribed a daily opioid dosage \> 120 mg morphine equivalents. 4. Have a medical condition or pain in other area(s), not intended to be treated in this study. 5. Have a current diagnosis of a progressive neurological disease such a multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, rapidly progressive arachnoiditis, brain or spinal cord tumor, central deafferentation syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, acute herniating disc, severe spinal stenosis and brachial plexus injury. 6. Have a current diagnosis or condition such as a coagulation disorder, bleeding diathesis, platelet dysfunction, low platelet count, severely diminished functional capacity due to underlying cardiac/pulmonary disease, symptomatic uncontrolled hypertension, progressive peripheral vascular disease or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus that presents excess risk for performing the procedure. 7. Have failed prior SCS, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation, or peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) trials for chronic intractable pain. 8. Have significant spinal stenosis, objective evidence of epidural scarring and/or any signs or symptoms of myelopathy. 9. Any previous history of surgery on the posterior elements (laminectomy, posterior fusion) resulting in a compromised epidural space. 10. Be benefitting from an interventional procedure and/or surgery to treat lower limb pain. 11. Have an existing drug pump and/or another active implantable device such as a pacemaker. 12. Have a condition currently requiring or likely to require the use of diathermy or MRI that is inconsistent with Senza system guidelines in the Physician's Manual. 13. Have either a metastatic malignant neoplasm or untreated local malignant neoplasm. 14. Have a life expectancy of less than one year. 15. Have a local infection at the anticipated surgical entry site or an active systemic infection. 16. Be pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the study. Women of childbearing potential who are sexually active must use a reliable form of birth control, be surgically sterile, or be at least 2 years post-menopausal. 17. Have within 6 months of enrollment a significant untreated addiction to dependency producing medications, alcohol or illicit drugs. 18. Be concomitantly participating in another clinical study. 19. Be involved in an injury claim under current litigation. 20. Be a recipient of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). 21. Have a pending or approved worker's compensation claim. 22. Have evidence of an active disruptive psychological or psychiatric disorder or other known condition significant enough to impact perception of pain, compliance with intervention and/or ability to evaluate treatment outcome.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Advanced Pain Management
Greenfield, Wisconsin, 53221, United States
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Coastal Orthopedics
Bradenton, Florida, 34209, United States
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Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
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Georgia Pain Care
Stockbridge, Georgia, 30281, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- New home gadget may ease diabetic foot pain