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Transcranial Magnetic StimulationNCT04439669

CRPS - Diagnostics, Pathophysiological Mechanisms, and Response to Treatment With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation

A study testing Active nrTMS and open phase in people with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of Upper Limb (Disorder), run by Helsinki University Central Hospital at 2 sites in Finland.

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

This is a sham controlled, randomized, double-blind, navigated repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nrTMS) study for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS types 1 and 2). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Active nrTMS and open phase
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
62 participants
Where
2 sitesFinland
Study dates
28 Aug 2017to 25 Aug 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • CRPS 1 or 2 of the upper limb
  • Duration ≥ 6 months
  • Mean pain (NRS) intensity ≥5/10
  • Medical and other therapies have failed

Who cannot join

  • Other stimulation therapies apart from transcutaneous nerve stimulation
  • psychotic disorder
  • severe depression
  • use of strong opioids
  • epilepsy
  • any contraindication for MRI
  • abuse of alcohol or drugs
  • ongoing insurance or other entitlement cases

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Finland2 sites
  • Helsinki University Hospital, Pain Clinic

    Helsinki, Uusimaa, 00029

  • Turku University Hospital, Pain Clinic

    Turku, Southwest Finland, 20014

Other trials in Finland

About this study

Official title: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Diagnostics, Pathophysiological Mechanisms, and Response to Treatment With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation

This is a sham controlled, randomized, double-blind, navigated repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nrTMS) study for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS types 1 and 2). The investigators study factors that may contribute to development, maintenance, or treatment responses with clinical, sleep, and psychiatric questionnaires and clinical examinations, quantitative sensory testing and neurophysiologic recordings, genetics, and MRI techniques.

Read the detailed description

rTMS hypothetically disrupts the default networks related to chronic pain and renders the brain more susceptible to drugs, rehabilitation, or cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, there is experimental evidence that rTMS releases factors that are involved in endogenous top-down modulation of pain and neural plasticity. Thus, the analgesic effect of rTMS may be mediated via enforcing endogenous pain control systems at the brain level, in addition to its effects on neuroplastic effects.

For active, navigated stimulation targets the investigators have the parietal opercular cortex overlying the secondary somatosensory cortex ("S2") and the primary motor cortex (M1).

The investigators randomize participants to first receive nrTMS to the right "S2" or sham stimulation. After ten sessions the investigators follow up the participants up to three months. At three months, if the average pain is ≥5/10 in numeric rating scale (NRS), the participant is offered an active, open nrTMS treatment phase depending on which treatment the participant first received. If the participant benefits from the open label treatment, a maintenance therapy is offered (6 months with gradually reducing nrTMS treatment frequency). The symptoms and quality of life are followed with questionnaires and diaries. After the maintenance period, the RN calls a structured interview at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Being tested
Sham nrTMS and open phase, Active nrTMS and open phase
Keywords
TMS, CRPS, pain, fMRI, quality of life, mood, cognitive function, DNA
Medical subject headings
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Pain

What participants receive

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

  • Sham nrTMS and open phaseDevice

    Also called Starts with sham stimulation

    Navigated repetitive TMS treatment (10 sessions during a three-week period) randomized to sham. In the following open phase stimulation the treatment targets are the right "S2"-contralateral M1-left "S2".

  • Active nrTMS and open phaseDevice

    Also called Starts with active stimulation

    Navigated repetitive TMS treatment (10 sessions during a three-week period) randomized to "S2". In the following open phase stimulation the treatment targets are contralateral M1 and left "S2". If the patient benefited from active "S2" stimulation, but the treatment effect faded in follow-up, the open phase stimulation starts with right "S2".

Study groups in NCT04439669
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Starts with active stimulationActive comparatorActive nrTMS is given to "S2" at the right side (10 sessions in a three week period). Thereafter, a new, open label phase will start if the average pain at 3 month follow-up is ≥5/10. Then, the nrTMS will be targeted to M1 contralateral to the side of pain. After 5 stimulation sessions the response is evaluated. If pain is still ≥510, the investigators change the target to the "S2" on the left side for five sessions. If there is response with pain relief, a maintenance therapy with this target is offered for 6 months with gradually reducing stimulation sessions.
Receives: Device: Active nrTMS and open phase
Starts with sham stimulationPlacebo comparatorSham nrTMS will be targeted to the "S2" on the right side, but using a sham box/coil. Stimulation period is similar than for the active comparator. Similarly, thereafter, a new, open label phase will start if the average pain at 3 month follow-up is ≥5/10. Then, the nrTMS will be targeted to "S2" at the right side. After 5 stimulation sessions the response is evaluated. If pain is still ≥5/10, the investigators change the target to M1 on the contralateral side of the pain and furthermore to "S2" at the left side after 5 stimulation sessions, if pain is still ≥5/10.
Receives: Device: Sham nrTMS and open phase

What is being measured

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

  1. 15-item quality of life measure

    Quality of life (15D questionnaire) with 15 question items with 5 alternatives in each. The scores range between 15 to 75 with 15 the best and 75 the worst quality of life.

    Measured: Change from baseline at one month

Secondary outcomes (17)
  1. Mean pain intensity and interference

    Numeric rating scale (NRS, 0= no pain and 10= the worst pain imaginable)

    Measured: Baseline, during stimulation, and two weeks after the intervention

  2. Weekly pain intensity and interference

    Pain questionnaires (numeric rating scale (NRS, 0= no pain and 10= the worst pain imaginable)

    Measured: Up to 3 months after intervention

  3. Sleep interference and quality

    Insonnia severity index (ISI). There are seven questions with scale 0 to 4 (0 with no symptoms and 4 with the worst symptoms). The scores are added up to get a total score ranging from 0 to 28. A higher score means a worse outcome.

    Measured: Baseline and 1,2,and 3 months after intervention

  4. Clinical neurophysiology measures

    Quantitative sensory testing (QST) with standardized reporting

    Measured: Baseline and one week after intervention

  5. Cognitive assessment A

    Cognitive function assessment by Cogstate, a computer based detection and identification task. Answers yes or no, standard reporting.

    Measured: Baseline and one month after the intervention

  6. Hand strength

    Hand motor function measured e.g. by Jamar (kg)

    Measured: Baseline and one week after the intervention.

  7. Biochemical tests

    Blood samples: inflammatory markers (e.g. high sensitivity CRP, proteomics). Standard reporting

    Measured: At baseline

  8. Brain imaging: Default mode networks

    Resting state fMRI

    Measured: Baseline and one week after intervention

  9. CRPS symptom severity

    CRPS severity scale (CSS, 0=no symptoms or signs, 17=maximum score with symptoms and signs)

    Measured: Baseline and at one month

  10. Patient global impression of change

    Global impression of change (GIC, 1=very much improved, 7= very much worse)

    Measured: 1, 2, and 3 months and through study completion, an average of 1 year

  11. Screening of psychiatric symptoms and diagnostics

    Psychiatric interveiw (SCID II) with symptom and diagnostic description. Nine questions, answers yes or no, standard reporting. The more "yes"-answers, the worse the outcome.

    Measured: Up to 24 weeks

  12. Hand mobility

    Angles of the joints in the hand (degrees)

    Measured: Baseline and one week after intervention

  13. Cognitive assessment B

    Wechsler Memory Scale III (WMS-III) subtest: digit span. Number of digits recalled. Standard reporting.

    Measured: Baseline and one month after the intervention

  14. Cognitive assessment C

    Wechsler Memory Scale III (WMS-III) subtest: word list. Number of words recalled. Standard reporting.

    Measured: Baseline and one month after the intervention

  15. Cognitive assessment D

    Bourdon-Wiersma (Attention and concentration): number of visual stimuli found.

    Measured: Baseline and one month after the intervention

  16. Cognitive assesment E

    Trail-Making Test (Parts A and B): time spent (seconds) for visual scanning task. Standard reporting.

    Measured: Baseline and one month after the intervention

  17. DNA

    DNA analysis. Standard reporting.

    Measured: At baseline

Timeline

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

  1. First posted19 Jun 2020
  2. Study start28 Aug 2017
  3. Primary completion29 Jul 2021
  4. Study completion25 Aug 2022

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
Model description
The patients are first randomized to receive either sham stimulation or right "S2" for three week period (10 stimulation sessions). Thereafter, a 3 month followup period (clinical checkup at a research visit at 1 month, RN structured telephone interviews at 2 and 3 months). If pain ≥5/10 at 3 month interview, the patient is offered an open label nrTMS treatment phase, in which the protocol depends on the first protocol of the RCT phase.
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
62 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04439669
Sponsor's protocol ID
TYH20162222
Status last verified
Jul 2024
First submitted
31 Mar 2020
Last updated
3 Jul 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: The Ethics committee doesn't allow that due to privacy agreements.

Publications

  • Lefaucheur JP, Aleman A, Baeken C, Benninger DH, Brunelin J, Di Lazzaro V, Filipovic SR, Grefkes C, Hasan A, Hummel FC, Jaaskelainen SK, Langguth B, Leocani L, Londero A, Nardone R, Nguyen JP, Nyffeler T, Oliveira-Maia AJ, Oliviero A, Padberg F, Palm U, Paulus W, Poulet E, Quartarone A, Rachid F, Rektorova I, Rossi S, Sahlsten H, Schecklmann M, Szekely D, Ziemann U. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS): An update (2014-2018). Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 Feb;131(2):474-528. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.11.002. Epub 2020 Jan 1.

    PubMed 31901449
  • Lefaucheur JP, Andre-Obadia N, Antal A, Ayache SS, Baeken C, Benninger DH, Cantello RM, Cincotta M, de Carvalho M, De Ridder D, Devanne H, Di Lazzaro V, Filipovic SR, Hummel FC, Jaaskelainen SK, Kimiskidis VK, Koch G, Langguth B, Nyffeler T, Oliviero A, Padberg F, Poulet E, Rossi S, Rossini PM, Rothwell JC, Schonfeldt-Lecuona C, Siebner HR, Slotema CW, Stagg CJ, Valls-Sole J, Ziemann U, Paulus W, Garcia-Larrea L. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Clin Neurophysiol. 2014 Nov;125(11):2150-2206. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.05.021. Epub 2014 Jun 5.

    PubMed 25034472
  • Jaaskelainen SK, Lindholm P, Valmunen T, Pesonen U, Taiminen T, Virtanen A, Lamusuo S, Forssell H, Hagelberg N, Hietala J, Pertovaara A. Variation in the dopamine D2 receptor gene plays a key role in human pain and its modulation by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Pain. 2014 Oct;155(10):2180-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.08.029. Epub 2014 Aug 29.

    PubMed 25180011
  • Liesto S, Aho T, Jaaskelainen SK, Hietanen M, Kalso E. Cognitive Function in Patients With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Eur J Pain. 2025 Jul;29(6):e70070. doi: 10.1002/ejp.70070.

    PubMed 40626344

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Active nrTMS and open phase in people with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of Upper Limb (Disorder), run by Helsinki University Central Hospital at 2 sites in Finland.

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 4 inclusion and 8 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 3 Jul 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Finland. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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?

15-item quality of life measure (time frame: Change from baseline at one month). 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 NCT04439669, which also lists 4 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 3 Jul 2024; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.

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