SCS modulates central sensitization processes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) modulate Wide Dynamic Range neurons activity in humans suffering from chronic low back pain? An in-vivo, non-invasive, clinical investigation using quantitative sensory testing in a cohort of chronic low back patients undergoing SCS treatment.
IRAS ID
190934
Contact name
Stefano Palmisani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a technique that uses small electric pulses to interrupt pain messages sent to the brain. The electric pulses are administered using a small device which is inserted (implanted) directly into the back to interfere with the pain messages sent along the spine to the brain.
This is an effective and approved treatment for some chronic pain conditions but we have little understanding of how it works.
This study aims to explore how this treatment works by looking at the changes in the sensitivity of the skin both before and after SCS treatment. To try and help our understanding, we will compare sensitivity in the skin of patients that have SCS treatment compared to those who don’t need it - healthy volunteers.
We think that patients treated with SCS for chronic pain will show a difference in how sensitive they are to things that should hurt, but also ordinary pressure, touch and heat when compared to healthy volunteers.
In the study we will provoke skin sensitivity first in healthy volunteers using a skin patch applied to the back that contains the same molecules as chilli powder (Capsaicin). This will help us to decide on the area of sensitivity (zone) around the patch that develops increased sensitivity to pain. We will also use other sensitivity tests (quantitative sensory testing) to try and collect as much data as possible to help us understand what is going on in the sensitivity zone.
We will then copy what we have done in patients having SCS treatment for chronic low back pain both before and 3 months after they have the SCS therapy.
We hope to gain understanding of how SCS works and to look at whether there is a difference depending on what type of SCS therapy patients received.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0407
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion