Tiny study on nerve stimulation for pain halted early
NCT ID NCT03670147
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at a type of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) that doesn't cause tingling, called paresthesia-free SCS, in 10 adults with chronic pain. Researchers wanted to see how well it works and how it affects pain perception. The study was terminated early, so the findings are very limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- paresthesia-free spinal cord stimulation (PF-SCS) device programming
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors better select which chronic pain patients will benefit from spinal cord stimulation, an expensive and invasive therapy.
- What could go wrong
- The study was terminated early with only 10 participants, so results are very limited. It was designed to understand how SCS works, not to prove a new treatment works.
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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10 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2018
- Finished
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Dec 2022
- 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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18 to 80 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.
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: * Subject will be 18-80 years old * Subject who is currently treated with PF-SCS (HF-10 or Burst-mode capable SCS system) for chronic pain Exclusion Criteria: * Subject has neurological disease or a condition causing chronic persistent sensory deficit to the painful area * Those receiving remuneration for their pain treatment (pending litigation or ongoing litigation). * Those unable to read English and complete the assessment instruments.
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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
-
MGH Center for Translational Pain Research
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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