Spinal Cord Burst Stimulation for Chronic Radicular Pain Following Lumbar Spine Surgery (NCT03546738) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Spinal Cord Burst Stimulation for Chronic Radicular Pain Following Lumbar Spine Surgery
Norway50 participantsStarted 2018-09-05
Plain-language summary
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a widely applied therapy to treat chronic neuropathic pain, and one of the most common indications is persisting radicular neuropathic pain following lumbar spine surgery. In traditional SCS therapies, the objective has been to replace the pain sensation with paresthesia. The anticipation is that the electrical current alters pain processing by masking the sensation of pain with a comfortable tingling or paresthesia. Although patients mostly cope with paresthesia, a significant proportion reports that the sensation is unpleasant.
'Burst' SCS utilizes complex programming to deliver high-frequency stimuli. This SCS technique seems to provide paresthesia-free stimulation, resulting in better pain relief of low back and leg pain then traditional tonic stimulation.
The widespread use of SCS has not been backed by solid evidence. The absence of placebo-controlled trials has long been an important point of criticism, but due to the nature of the intervention with sensation of paresthesia, studies with placebo control have so far not been considered possible. When 'burst' SCS is used the stimulation is often unnoticed by the patient, allowing comparison with placebo stimulation.
The aim of this randomized double-blind sham-controlled crossover trial is to evaluate the efficacy of 'burst' spinal cord stimulation for chronic radicular pain following spine surgery.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Have undergone ≥1 back surgeries and developed chronic radicular pain that has remained refractory to non-surgical treatment for ≥6 months
* Minimum pain intensity of 5/10 on the leg pain NRS at baseline
* Successful two-week SCS testing period with tonic stimulation (≥2 points reduction in leg pain NRS from baseline). This means patients will experience paresthesia during the SCS trial period
* Mandatory assessment at the Multidisciplinary outpatient clinic for back-, neck- and shoulder rehabilitation, St. Olavs University Hospital
Exclusion Criteria:
* Coexisting conditions that would increase procedural risk (e.g., sepsis, coagulopathy)
* History of laminectomy or posterior fusion at the thoracolumbar junction, where percutaneous electrode end tips are routinely placed.
* Abnormal pain behavior and/or unresolved psychiatric illness.
* Unresolved issues of secondary gain or inappropriate medication use.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change from baseline in disease-specific functional outcome between active burst stimulation and placebo stimulation periods