Pain, NervePhase 2/3NCT06185816
Non-Invasive Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
A Phase 2/3 study testing Active Treatment and Non-active Treatment in people with Pain, Nerve, run by Stanford University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to examine non-invasive pulsed radiofrequency (NIPRF) and the effect it has on chronic neuropathic pain. Chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury most often occurs in the context of post-traumatic or post-surgical pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Pain, Nerve
- What is being tested?
- Active Treatment and Non-active Treatment
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 95 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2024to 1 Jan 2029
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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
- -Adults aged 18 or older with clinically diagnosed chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral injury defined as persistent or recurrent neuropathic pain caused by a peripheral nerve lesion, history of a plausible nerve trauma, pain onset in temporal relation to the trauma, and pain distribution within the innervation territory of a peripheral nerve (or nerves). Negative and positive sensory symptoms or signs must be compatible with the innervation territory of the affected nerve. Can be posttraumatic, post-surgical, nerve compression, nerve ischemia with or without loss of motor function
- Positive response (at least 50% pain relief) to diagnostic nerve block at the suspected site of CNP-PI.
- Continued pain despite conservative therapy for a minimum of 12 weeks
- Stable dosage of analgesic medications for at least 30 days, and willingness to refrain from trialing new analgesic medications for three weeks after randomization
- Worst pain intensity of ≥5/10 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) of Pain (0-10) at the CNP-PI site at enrollment
- English-speaking
- Ability and willingness to complete online and phone assessments
Who cannot join
- Conditions causing inability to complete assessments (education, cognitive ability, mental status, medical status)
- Cancer diagnosis, active malignant neoplasm (metastatic or local) or evidence of paraneoplastic syndrome
- Painful polyneuropathy (e.g., metabolic, autoimmune, familial, infectious disease, environmental toxins, treatment with neurotoxic drug)
- Chronic central neuropathic pain (e.g., spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis)
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Diabetic neuropathy
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- Other active implantable devices (e.g., implantable cardioverter defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, dorsal root ganglion stimulator, sacral nerve stimulator, deep brain stimulator, intrathecal pump)
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive
- Systemic infection or local infection at the anticipated NIPRF treatment sites
- Interventional procedure and/or surgery to treat CNP-PI in the last 30 days (subjects should be enrolled 30 days after last procedure, for prior ablative treatment must be enrolled at least 3 months after last procedure)
- Epilepsy
- Metal implants within the target treatment area of the NIPRF.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Stanford Pain Management Center
Redwood City, California, 94063
Emma Raney, 650-721-7073
About this study
The purpose of this study is to examine non-invasive pulsed radiofrequency (NIPRF) and the effect it has on chronic neuropathic pain. Chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury most often occurs in the context of post-traumatic or post-surgical pain. It is often treated with nerve blocks, prescription medication, physical therapy, neuromodulation, and surgery. The study team will be examining the efficacy of NIPRF and determining if it would be an appropriate treatment for chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury.The Stimpod used in the present study is FDA approved and will be used for on label purposes.
- Conditions
- Pain, Nerve
- Being tested
- Active Treatment, Non-active Treatment
- Medical subject headings
- Neuralgia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active TreatmentDevice
The treatment is a non-invasive pulsed radio frequency current that emits a high frequency magnetic field. It has a pulse width of 0.2ms, a pulse rate of 2Hz and an intensity between 0 - 30ma. There is a 'beep' sound as the pulses occur. There are 2 electrodes used - one is the indifferent electrode that is placed on the skin at a suitable distance away from the active electrode and the other, an active electrode - is a probe that is applied to the target nerve to treat the mononeuropathy
Non-active TreatmentDevice
The placebo device will be inert with nil current emitted however the device will look and be used in exactly the same way. There will also be a 'beep' sound emitted and only the investigator will know the difference. The placebo device will not deliver any electrical stimulation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active Treatment | Active comparator | ACTIVE treatment will be conducted by the study PIs, who are licensed pain physicians, Participants will receive 3 treatments, once weekly, for three weeks. Treatments are about 20 minutes long. The Stimpod being used is FDA cleared and is commercially available.
The treatment is a non-invasive pulsed radio frequency current that emits a high frequency magnetic field. It has a pulse width of 0.2ms, a pulse rate of 2Hz and an intensity between 0 - 30ma. There is a 'beep' sound as the pulses occur. There are 2 electrodes used - one is the indifferent electrode that is placed on the skin at a suitable distance away from the active electrode and the other, an active electrode - is a probe that is applied to the target nerve to treat the mononeuropathy Receives: Device: Active Treatment |
| Non-Active Treatment | Sham comparator | Participants enrolled in the non-active arm will receive 3 treatments, once weekly, for three weeks. After the trial is completed, participants will be offered three free treatments.
The placebo device will be inert with nil current emitted however the device will look and be used in exactly the same way. There will also be a 'beep' sound emitted and only the investigator will know the difference. The placebo device will not deliver any electrical stimulation. Receives: Device: Non-active Treatment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Treatment Response Rate
Measured: After Three Weeks of Starting Treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Dec 2023
- Study start1 Nov 2024
- Primary completion1 Jan 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jan 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Pain, NerveStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Stanford UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 2/3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 95 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Stanford University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jennifer Hah, Stanford University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06185816
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 71629
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Dec 2023
- Last updated
- 24 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Non-Invasive Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06185816
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 71629
- Conditions
- Pain, Nerve
- Phase
- Phase 2/3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 95 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Stanford UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jan 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Dec 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to examine non-invasive pulsed radiofrequency (NIPRF) and the effect it has on chronic neuropathic pain. Chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury most often occurs in the context of post-traumatic or post-surgical pain. It is often treated with nerve blocks, prescription medication, physical therapy, neuromodulation, and surgery. The study team will be examining the efficacy of NIPRF and determining if it would be an appropriate treatment for chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury.The Stimpod used in the present study is FDA approved and will be used for on label purposes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active Treatment | Active comparator | Device: Active TreatmentACTIVE treatment will be conducted by the study PIs, who are licensed pain physicians, Participants will receive 3 treatments, once weekly, for three weeks. Treatments are about 20 minutes long. The Stimpod being used is FDA cleared and is commercially available. The treatment is a non-invasive pulsed radio frequency current that emits a high frequency magnetic field. It has a pulse width of 0.2ms, a pulse rate of 2Hz and an intensity between 0 - 30ma. There is a 'beep' sound as the pulses occur. There are 2 electrodes used - one is the indifferent electrode that is placed on the skin at a suitable distance away from the active electrode and the other, an active electrode - is a probe that is applied to the target nerve to treat the mononeuropathy |
| Non-Active Treatment | Sham comparator | Device: Non-active TreatmentParticipants enrolled in the non-active arm will receive 3 treatments, once weekly, for three weeks. After the trial is completed, participants will be offered three free treatments. The placebo device will be inert with nil current emitted however the device will look and be used in exactly the same way. There will also be a 'beep' sound emitted and only the investigator will know the difference. The placebo device will not deliver any electrical stimulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- -Adults aged 18 or older with clinically diagnosed chronic neuropathic pain after peripheral injury defined as persistent or recurrent neuropathic pain caused by a peripheral nerve lesion, history of a plausible nerve trauma, pain onset in temporal relation to the trauma, and pain distribution within the innervation territory of a peripheral nerve (or nerves). Negative and positive sensory symptoms or signs must be compatible with the innervation territory of the affected nerve. Can be posttraumatic, post-surgical, nerve compression, nerve ischemia with or without loss of motor function
- Positive response (at least 50% pain relief) to diagnostic nerve block at the suspected site of CNP-PI.
- Continued pain despite conservative therapy for a minimum of 12 weeks
- Stable dosage of analgesic medications for at least 30 days, and willingness to refrain from trialing new analgesic medications for three weeks after randomization
- Worst pain intensity of ≥5/10 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) of Pain (0-10) at the CNP-PI site at enrollment
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Conditions causing inability to complete assessments (education, cognitive ability, mental status, medical status)
- Cancer diagnosis, active malignant neoplasm (metastatic or local) or evidence of paraneoplastic syndrome
- Painful polyneuropathy (e.g., metabolic, autoimmune, familial, infectious disease, environmental toxins, treatment with neurotoxic drug)
- Chronic central neuropathic pain (e.g., spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis)
- Peripheral vascular disease
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Active TreatmentThe treatment is a non-invasive pulsed radio frequency current that emits a high frequency magnetic field. It has a pulse width of 0.2ms, a pulse rate of 2Hz and an intensity between 0 - 30ma. There is a 'beep' sound as the pulses occur. There are 2 electrodes used - one is the indifferent electrode that is placed on the skin at a suitable distance away from the active electrode and the other, an active electrode - is a probe that is applied to the target nerve to treat the mononeuropathy | Device | Active Treatment |
| Non-active TreatmentThe placebo device will be inert with nil current emitted however the device will look and be used in exactly the same way. There will also be a 'beep' sound emitted and only the investigator will know the difference. The placebo device will not deliver any electrical stimulation. | Device | Non-Active Treatment |
Primary outcome
Treatment Response Rate
Time frame: After Three Weeks of Starting Treatment
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Apr 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2/3 study testing Active Treatment and Non-active Treatment in people with Pain, Nerve, run by Stanford University 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 7 inclusion and 12 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Apr 2026. 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. 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.
What does this combined phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Treatment Response Rate (time frame: After Three Weeks of Starting Treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 24 Apr 2026.