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StrokeNCT02928055

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Shoulder Pain: Dose Response

A study testing Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in people with Stroke and Shoulder Pain, run by MetroHealth Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The primary objective of this RCT is explore the mechanism for Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP) reduction due to treatment with peripheral nerve stimulation. We will explore the association of subject-specific clinical and demographic information and pain relief from PNS. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 21 to 89 years
Conditions the study is for
Stroke, Shoulder Pain
What is being tested?
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
23 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Oct 2016to 30 Oct 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 21 to 89 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • shoulder pain localized to the glenohumeral joint, subacromial area or deltoid insertion associated with: a) rest; b) passive abduction or external rotation range of motion (ROM); c) active abduction ROM; or, d) manual palpation;
  • shoulder pain onset or worsening after the most recent stroke;
  • weakness of shoulder abductors (≤4/5 on MRC if isolated movement is present);
  • ≥ 21-yrs old; < 90-yrs old;
  • time of stroke ≥ 3-mo;
  • duration of HSP ≥3-mo;
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  • HSP with moderate to severe pain (BPI SF-3 ≥ 4);
  • cognitive and communication ability to fulfill study requirements (cognitive ability based upon a score of ≥24 on the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE));
  • availability of reliable adult who can assist with study procedures if necessary;
  • willing and able to report shoulder pain and other conditions and complete study visits throughout the 4 month study period.

Who cannot join

  • joint or overlying skin infection or history of recurrent skin infections;
  • insensate skin;
  • need to take > 1 opioid and > 1 nonopioid analgesic medication for HSP;
  • regular intake of pain medications for another chronic pain;
  • botox injection or subacromial steroid injections to the shoulder within the past 12 wks;
  • receiving OT or PT for HSP;
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  • bleeding disorder or INR > 3.0;
  • sensitivity to skin surface electrodes and/or medical-grade adhesives, gels, tapes;
  • medical instability;
  • pregnancy;
  • uncontrolled seizures (>1/mo for 6-mo);
  • history of cardiac arrhythmia with hemodynamic instability;
  • history of lidocaine allergy;
  • history of Parkinson's disease, SCI, TBI, MS, or ipsilateral UE lower motor neuron lesion;
  • history of complex regional pain syndrome, myofacial pain syndrome, other pain conditions (investigator discretion);
  • cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electronic device;
  • history of valvular heart disease (artificial valves, requiring antibiotics for procedures, etc.);
  • severely impaired communication.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • MetroHealth Medical Center

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44109

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Implanted PNS for Shoulder Pain in Stroke

The primary objective of this RCT is explore the mechanism for Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP) reduction due to treatment with peripheral nerve stimulation. We will explore the association of subject-specific clinical and demographic information and pain relief from PNS. We will explore the possible role of central sensitization mechanisms in perpetuating pain via measures of sensory and pain perception. Lastly, we will explore the dose-response association of muscle-contraction from PNS and pain reduction, completion of activities of daily living (ADLs), and improvement in quality of life.

Read the detailed description

Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) affects up to 60% of moderate to severely impaired stroke survivors. HSP is associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes, including interference with activities of daily living (ADLs) and poor quality of life (QoL). While many treatments for HSP have been proposed, most do not result in long-term relief of pain.

The investigators developed the use of intramuscular peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for the treatment of HSP, which involves the temporary placement of a percutaneous intramuscular electrode to stimulate the axillary nerve motor points to the deltoid muscle. The deltoid muscle is stimulated for 6 hours per day for 3 weeks, causing comfortable, non-fatiguing contractions. This treatment, which occurs in the community setting, results in pain relief for up to 12 months when compared to treatment with a hemisling. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) with pain as the primary outcome concluded that intramuscular PNS was the only treatment to provide long-term relief of pain for those with HSP. We have completed two RCTs that have demonstrated that a short-term PNS treatment (i.e., 3 or 6 weeks) provides pain relief. The first trial demonstrated efficacy in long-term pain relief in more than 60% of subjects for greater than 12 months. The second trial corroborated the finding that more than 60% of subjects receiving PNS achieved long-term pain reduction, and also showed that PNS reduces pain more than that achieved with physical therapy. The mechanism of action of PNS in reduction of HSP is not yet known. Thus, the primary objective of this RCT is explore the mechanism for HSP reduction.

The mechanisms behind PNS for the treatment of HSP are not known. First, individual variation may contribute to response to PNS, thus we will explore the association of subject-specific clinical and demographic information and pain relief from PNS. Secondly, our team and others have found that in the chronic stage central sensitization mechanisms may also have a role in perpetuating pain, as it does in other forms of chronic shoulder pain. These mechanisms will be explored via measures of sensory and pain perception. Finally, our approach to delivering PNS for HSP is different from other treatments in which PNS is delivered through skin surface electrodes (e.g., transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS) in that our treatment produces repeated muscle contraction over the course of weeks. Treatments such as TENS generates tingling sensations (paresthesias) over the painful area, and pain relief following stimulation is short-lived, seldom lasting more than a few hours. We postulate that long-term pain relief for HSP after PNS treatment is due to the repeated muscle contraction that occurs daily over the course of treatment, thus we will explore the dose-response association of muscle-contraction from PNS and pain reduction, completion of activities of daily living (ADLs), and improvement in quality of life.

Being tested
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Keywords
Stroke, Shoulder Pain, Electrical stimulation, Neuromuscular stimulation, Intramuscular stimulation
Medical subject headings
Stroke, Shoulder Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Peripheral Nerve StimulationDevice

    Also called Intramuscular Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, Intramuscular Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Smartpatch System

    The stimulation system includes an external stimulator, percutaneous lead and pad. The stimulator snaps onto the pad. The pad has an embedded power source but also serves as the anode. The 1-channel stimulator outputs a biphasic current waveform with current pulse parameter ranges suitable for PNS. The percutaneous lead is inserted using an introducer (like a hypodermic needle) which is withdrawn and the lead is retained in the muscle by a barb at its tip. After a 1-week stabilization period, stimulation is initiated (daily dose is Group-dependent). Stimulus parameters may be adjusted by the research staff as deemed appropriate. The treatment period is 3 weeks after which the lead will be removed. Total time of electrode implantation is no more than 29 days.

Study groups in NCT02928055
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PNS (3 hr/day)ExperimentalThe PNS (3 hr/day) Group will receive peripheral nerve stimulation treatment for three weeks (3 hours daily) with an Intramuscular Electrical Stimulator following a one week electrode stabilization period.
Receives: Device: Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
PNS (6 hr/day)ExperimentalThe PNS (6 hr/day) Group will receive peripheral nerve stimulation treatment for three weeks (6 hours daily) with an Intramuscular Electrical Stimulator following a one week electrode stabilization period.
Receives: Device: Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
PNS (9 hr/day)ExperimentalThe PNS (9 hr/day) Group will receive peripheral nerve stimulation treatment for three weeks (9 hours daily) with an Intramuscular Electrical Stimulator following a one week electrode stabilization period.
Receives: Device: Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)- Short Form (SF) Question 3 (BPI-SF3)

    Brief Pain Inventory(BPI) Short Form 3: The BPI has excellent psychometrics and is recommended for the assessment of pain in clinical trials. The developers of the BPI recommend BPI SF-3, the "pain worst" rating, as the primary response metric. The question asks participants to rate their worst pain in the prior 7-d on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale, where "0" indicates "No pain" and "10" indicates "Pain as bad as you can imagine." A lower score is better.

    Measured: End of Treatment (EOT), EOT + 3 mo

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 Oct 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study startOct 2016
  3. Primary completionAug 2019
  4. Study completion30 Oct 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
23 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02928055
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB16-00510
Other IDs
R01HD075542
Status last verified
Jun 2021
First submitted
6 Oct 2016
Last updated
18 Jun 2021
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Wilson RD, Gunzler DD, Bennett ME, Chae J. Peripheral nerve stimulation compared with usual care for pain relief of hemiplegic shoulder pain: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Jan;93(1):17-28. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000011.

    PubMed 24355994
  • Chae J, Ng A, Yu DT, Kirsteins A, Elovic EP, Flanagan SR, Harvey RL, Zorowitz RD, Fang ZP. Intramuscular electrical stimulation for shoulder pain in hemiplegia: does time from stroke onset predict treatment success? Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007 Nov-Dec;21(6):561-7. doi: 10.1177/1545968306298412. Epub 2007 Mar 16.

    PubMed 17369520
  • Chae J, Wilson RD, Bennett ME, Lechman TE, Stager KW. Single-lead percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain: a case series. Pain Pract. 2013 Jan;13(1):59-67. doi: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2012.00541.x. Epub 2012 Mar 26.

    PubMed 22448759
  • Chae J, Yu D, Walker M. Percutaneous, intramuscular neuromuscular electrical stimulation for the treatment of shoulder subluxation and pain in chronic hemiplegia: a case report. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Apr;80(4):296-301. doi: 10.1097/00002060-200104000-00014.

    PubMed 11277137
  • Chae J, Yu DT, Walker ME, Kirsteins A, Elovic EP, Flanagan SR, Harvey RL, Zorowitz RD, Frost FS, Grill JH, Fang ZP. Intramuscular electrical stimulation for hemiplegic shoulder pain: a 12-month follow-up of a multiple-center, randomized clinical trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Nov;84(11):832-42. doi: 10.1097/01.phm.0000184154.01880.72.

    PubMed 16244520
  • Wilson RD, Bennett ME, Lechman TE, Stager KW, Chae J. Single-lead percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain: a case report. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 May;92(5):837-40. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.11.003.

    PubMed 21530732
  • Yu DT, Chae J, Walker ME, Fang ZP. Percutaneous intramuscular neuromuscular electric stimulation for the treatment of shoulder subluxation and pain in patients with chronic hemiplegia: a pilot study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Jan;82(1):20-5. doi: 10.1053/apmr.2001.18666.

    PubMed 11239281
  • Yu DT, Chae J, Walker ME, Kirsteins A, Elovic EP, Flanagan SR, Harvey RL, Zorowitz RD, Frost FS, Grill JH, Feldstein M, Fang ZP. Intramuscular neuromuscular electric stimulation for poststroke shoulder pain: a multicenter randomized clinical trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 May;85(5):695-704. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2003.07.015.

    PubMed 15129391
  • Yu DT, Chae J, Walker ME, Hart RL, Petroski GF. Comparing stimulation-induced pain during percutaneous (intramuscular) and transcutaneous neuromuscular electric stimulation for treating shoulder subluxation in hemiplegia. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Jun;82(6):756-60. doi: 10.1053/apmr.2001.23310.

    PubMed 11387579
  • Koog YH, Jin SS, Yoon K, Min BI. Interventions for hemiplegic shoulder pain: systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Disabil Rehabil. 2010;32(4):282-91. doi: 10.3109/09638280903127685.

    PubMed 20055567
  • Snels IA, Beckerman H, Lankhorst GJ, Bouter LM. Treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain in the Netherlands: results of a national survey. Clin Rehabil. 2000 Feb;14(1):20-7. doi: 10.1191/026921500668239146.

    PubMed 10688341
  • Soo Hoo J, Paul T, Chae J, Wilson RD. Central hypersensitivity in chronic hemiplegic shoulder pain. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Jan;92(1):1-9; quiz 10-3. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31827df862.

    PubMed 23255268
  • Wilson RD, Harris MA, Gunzler DD, Bennett ME, Chae J. Percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic pain in subacromial impingement syndrome: a case series. Neuromodulation. 2014 Dec;17(8):771-6; discussion 776. doi: 10.1111/ner.12152. Epub 2014 Feb 11.

    PubMed 24512114
  • Wilson RD, Harris MA, Bennett ME, Chae J. Single-lead percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of shoulder pain from subacromial impingement syndrome. PM R. 2012 Aug;4(8):624-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.03.002.

    PubMed 22920317
  • Paul TM, Soo Hoo J, Chae J, Wilson RD. Central hypersensitivity in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Dec;93(12):2206-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.06.026. Epub 2012 Jul 10.

    PubMed 22789774

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in people with Stroke and Shoulder Pain, run by MetroHealth Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 18 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Jun 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 18 Jun 2021). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)- Short Form (SF) Question 3 (BPI-SF3) (time frame: End of Treatment (EOT), EOT + 3 mo). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02928055, which also lists 15 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Jun 2021; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 31 Oct 2026.

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