Electric brain zaps tested for chronic pain relief
NCT ID NCT03015558
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a non-invasive brain stimulation method called tDCS to see if it can reduce chronic nerve pain. Researchers compared real stimulation to a placebo in 24 healthy volunteers and patients with long-term nerve pain. The goal was to measure changes in pain levels and brain activity. If effective, this approach could offer a drug-free option for managing persistent pain.
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
-
24 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Nov 2016
- Finished
-
Mar 2018
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 to 80 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * healthy subjects aged from 18 to 70 years, male or female, with social security protection, fully informed and having given their written consent. * patients aged from 18 to 80 years, male or female, with social security protection , fully informed and having given their written consent. * pharmacoresistant neuropathic pain during at least one year, * without any change of the pharmacological treatment since at least one month Exclusion Criteria: In healthy subjects only: * history of chronic pain * analgesic medication within 24h before stimulation For patients only: new analgesic treatment within 1 month before consent for both: * drug addiction, headache, epilepsy * ferromagnetic intracranial device * implanted stimulator * recent neurosurgery and open wound of the scalp. * absence of contraceptive method for women of childbearing age
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Neuropathic pain are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Hospices Civils de Lyon - NeuroPain lab - CRNL
Bron, 69500, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Scientists map the daily rhythms of chronic pain
- Can zapping two brain regions at once quiet chronic nerve pain?
- Can a mindfulness app ease the stress of hospitalization?
- Zapping the brain to loosen stiff legs and quiet nerve pain in MS?
- Ancient Mind-Body practice put to the test for spinal cord injury pain
- Can a skin injection of ketamine and lidocaine tame CRPS pain?