Brain zaps could ease nerve pain in spinal injury patients
NCT ID NCT06726954
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce nerve pain, depression, and sleep problems in people with spinal cord injury. Researchers will compare two different rTMS protocols against a placebo in 63 adults. Participants continue their usual pain medications during the trial.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a non-drug way to reduce chronic nerve pain and improve quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 63 people. The results may not apply to everyone, and the treatment may not work better than a placebo.
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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About 63 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 75 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: Aged 18-75 years Physician-diagnosed spinal cord injury for at least 3-months Neuropathic pain for at least 3-months Pain not attributable to any other conditions Exclusion Criteria: * Having an important comorbid disease such as severe heart disease (aortic stenosis, angina, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, uncontrolled hypertension,arrhythmia, pacemaker) * Neurodegenerative disease * Epilepsy * History of antiepileptic drug use * Cognitive dysfunction * Lower extremity peripheral nerve injury * Increased intracranial pressure or uncontrolled migraine * Infection on the skin in the application area. * Having a brain lesion or a history of drug use that will affect the seizure threshold. Any TMS-related contraindications, for example: * Pacemaker * Metallic implant * Previous seizure * Psychiatric disorders (excluding depression and anxiety) * Malignancy * Current pregnancy
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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
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University
RECRUITINGAfyonkarahisar, 0300, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Serotonin precursor probed for spinal cord injury effects
- Scientists map the daily rhythms of chronic pain
- Breathing brief Low-Oxygen bursts may boost sleep apnea treatment
- Pure oxygen tested as a switch for dormant nerves after spinal cord injury
- Spinal stimulation tested to help kids with spinal cord injuries sit taller
- Zapping the spine: a new hope for kids with paralysis?