Could a magnetic helmet ease diabetic nerve pain?
NCT ID NCT05937984
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a new type of brain stimulation, called controlled transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTMS), can reduce pain and improve daily function in people with painful diabetic neuropathy. Twenty adults with the condition received either real or sham cTMS over five days. The goal was to see if this non-invasive, painless procedure could offer relief where other treatments have fallen short.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- controlled transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTMS) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, non-drug option for managing chronic nerve pain in people with diabetes.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early study (20 people) and previous TMS research only helped about half of patients. The results may not apply to everyone.
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
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2023
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
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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
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20 to 70 years
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of painful diabetic neuropathy (pDN) Exclusion Criteria: * a known history of moderate to severe chronic pain other than pDN * daily use of opioids prior to the pDN diagnosis * contraindications to TMS * known psychological diagnosis affecting comprehension and inability to participate in the study
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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
-
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Electric pulses in the spine may ease diabetic nerve pain
- Shocking nerve pain away: new device trial for diabetic neuropathy
- Could a Low-Dose opioid blocker ease diabetic nerve pain without the risks?
- Gene therapy aimed at cutting opioid use for diabetic nerve pain – but trial never started
- New pill aims to quiet diabetic nerve pain
- New home gadget may ease diabetic foot pain