tACS for Neuropathic Pain Management After SCI

tACS Brain Neuromodulation for Sensory and Motor Recovery After Neurological Impairments

The overall goal is to investigate the effectiveness of a novel intervention - transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for neuropathic pain management in people after spinal cord injury.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria for SCI subjects

Inclusion criteria: A patient who

1. has neuropathic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury or amputation or brain injury;
2. has chronic pain, >3 months;
3. is between 18 to 75 years of age;
4. is stable on oral pain medications at least two weeks. Patients are allowed to continue their pain medications, i.e., no change in pain medications.

NOTE: we plan to begin the study with the spinal cord injury (SCI) subject population as a cohort first, then expand to other subject populations

Exclusion criteria: Patients will be excluded if they

1. are currently adjusting oral pain medications for their neuropathic pain;
2. have pain, but not neuropathic, e.g., from inflammation at the incision wound of the residual limb or neuroma;
3. have a pacemaker metal implants or supplemental oxygen;
4. have amputation in their arm(s);
5. fail to have a motor contraction in the arm muscles with TMS;
6. are not able to follow commands, or to give consent;
7. have asthma or other pulmonary disease;
8. are not medically stable;
9. have preexisting psychiatric disorders;
10. alcohol or drug abuse.