UnknownNot Applicable

Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

United States40 participantsStarted 2020-06-30

Plain-language summary

A possible treatment approach for neuropathic pain would employ a process designed to promote healthier function of the ventral posteromedial (VPM) and ventral posterolateral (VPL) thalamic nuclei. This study is designed to employ focused ultrasound technology to target the VPM and VPL thalamus among participants with ongoing neuropathic pain syndromes to evaluate for tolerability and early efficacy.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 90 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: * History of neuropathic pain (onset, location, intensity, duration, quality, aggravating factors) * Confirmation of nervous system injury through imaging or negative or positive sensory signs confined to the corresponding bodily area * Failure from at least 3 pharmacological treatments (e.g., antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids) * At least 18 years of age Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects unable to give informed consent * Subjects who would not be able to lay down without excessive movement in a calm environment * Pregnancy, women who may become pregnant or are breastfeeding * Subjects with scalp rash or open wounds on the scalp (for example from treatment of squamous cell cancer)

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

Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)

Timeframe: Baseline

Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

Timeframe: Baseline

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

Timeframe: Baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04485208

SponsorNeurological Associates of West Los Angeles

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-06-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Neuropathic Pain trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 90 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.