Chronic PainNCT07411859
Reboot Pain (tDCS)
A study testing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in people with Chronic Pain, run by Emory University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study will examine the effectiveness of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) in reducing chronic pain when used with Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP)-ABHP (Accelerated Behavioral Health Program) participants as measured by the Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity Scale (PEG). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 89 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Pain
- What is being tested?
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 16 Feb 2026to May 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 to 89 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Male or Female, 18-89 years old
- Treated on site for ABHP
- Willing to self-administer tDCS and complete the measures
- PEG pain intensity of 4 or more for most of the day at least 3 days per week
- Have an established PCP (Primary Care Provider) or pain management provider
Who cannot join
- Implanted pacemaker
- Seizure Disorder
- Pregnancy, if applicable
- Any new onset of the following:
- Balance Problems
- Difficulty walking
Show all 31Show fewer
- Bladder incontinence
- Bowel incontinence
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Medical contraindications
- Current use of sodium channel blockers
- Lidocaine (OTC/transdermal delivery is ok)
- Mexiletine
- Amitriptyline; other tricyclic antidepressants
- Anti-epileptic medications: phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, rufinamide, lacosamide and eslicarbazepine acetate
- Current use of calcium channel blockers
- Current use of N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists
- Ketamine
- Dextromethorphan
- Felbamate
- History of brain surgery
- History of brain tumor
- History of seizure disorder
- History of stroke
- Intracranial metal implantation
- Adults unable to consent
- Individuals who are not yet adults
- Prisoners
- Non-English speaking
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Sheila Rauch, PhD contact
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
The Emory Clinic
Atlanta, Georgia, 30308
Syreese Fuller, 404-778-3188, syreese.fuller@emory.edu
Sheila Rauch, PhD
About this study
Official title: Reboot Pain: Integrating Neuromodulation Into Clinical Care for Military and Veterans With Chronic Pain
This study will examine the effectiveness of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) in reducing chronic pain when used with Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP)-ABHP (Accelerated Behavioral Health Program) participants as measured by the Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity Scale (PEG).
Read the detailed description
This study protocol will test whether a non-drug brain stimulation method called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can help reduce chronic pain in military service members and veterans who are receiving mental health treatment through the Accelerated Behavioral Health Program (ABHP) at the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP). The goal is to see if combining tDCS treatment with standard therapy will improve pain and overall well-being.
The study population will include adult service members and veterans aged 18-89 who are experiencing chronic pain and enrolled in the Accelerated Behavioral Health Program (ABHP) for mental health care. The study will not include minors, prisoners, non-English speakers, or pregnant individuals, as well as those with certain medical contraindications.
Participants will receive short (~20 minute), daily tDCS treatment sessions for two weeks. tDCS is a non-invasive method delivering a weak electrical current to specific areas of the brain to help reduce pain signals. Participants will complete brief daily pain surveys, questionnaires, and standard clinical interviews. The tDCS sessions will either take place in person at Emory's Executive Park Clinic or virtually with assistance as needed.
Participants will receive active tDCS treatment for two weeks and standard of care follow-up assessments at the 3, 6, and 12 month marks after treatment.
Participants will be recruited from those patients already entering or a part of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP) in Atlanta, Georgia.
The total enrollment for this study is up to 100 participants over the course of two years. It is expected that some individuals may not qualify after screening or will withdraw early. No specimens or biological samples will be stored for future research use. Data collected in the study will be de-identified and only used for this protocol.
Participants will review and sign an electronic consent form using a secure online system before active participation in the study. The consent form ensures participants fully understand the study, and they can withdraw at any time without penalty.
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Being tested
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
- Medical subject headings
- Chronic Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcranial Direct Current StimulationDevice
Also called tDCS
tDCS is a painless brain stimulation treatment that uses direct electrical currents (at a constant, low intensity level) to stimulate specific parts of the brain and help modulate neuronal activity. Participants will receive a series of tDCS treatments during the Accelerated Brain Health Program (ABHP) coupled with self-report of pain severity and interference tDCS has been used to improve cognitive functions and pain management. Starting Day 1 of EHVP-IOP, tDCS will be administered with a constant current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min per session for up to 10 sessions over 2 weeks
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) plus accelerated Behavioral Health Program | Experimental | Participants will receive short, daily tDCS treatment sessions for two weeks. Starting Day 1, tDCS will be administered with a constant current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min per session for up to 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Receives: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in PEG (Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity) scale
The PEG scale includes 3 questions each rated from 0 (no pain) to 10 (Pain as bad as you can imagine) over the past 24 hours. Items include average pain, interference in enjoyment, and interference in general activity. Higher score correlates with worse study outcome.
Measured: Baseline, day 12 post-intervention (end of treatment)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in PEG scale
The PEG scale includes 3 questions each rated from 0 (no pain) to 10 (Pain as bad as you can imagine) over the past week. Items include average pain, interference in enjoyment, and interference in general activity. Higher score correlates with worse study outcome.
Measured: Baseline, 3,6, and 12 months post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Feb 2026
- Study start16 Feb 2026
- Primary completionMay 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Emory 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 N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Emory University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sheila Rauch, Emory University
- Investigators
- Sheila Rauch, PhD, Principal investigator, Emory University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07411859
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025P012993
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reboot Pain: Integrating Neuromodulation Into Clinical Care for Military and Veterans With Chronic Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07411859
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025P012993
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Emory UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 16 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- May 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- May 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Feb 2026 (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.
This study will examine the effectiveness of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) in reducing chronic pain when used with Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP)-ABHP (Accelerated Behavioral Health Program) participants as measured by the Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity Scale (PEG).
Detailed description
This study protocol will test whether a non-drug brain stimulation method called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can help reduce chronic pain in military service members and veterans who are receiving mental health treatment through the Accelerated Behavioral Health Program (ABHP) at the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP). The goal is to see if combining tDCS treatment with standard therapy will improve pain and overall well-being.
The study population will include adult service members and veterans aged 18-89 who are experiencing chronic pain and enrolled in the Accelerated Behavioral Health Program (ABHP) for mental health care. The study will not include minors, prisoners, non-English speakers, or pregnant individuals, as well as those with certain medical contraindications.
Participants will receive short (~20 minute), daily tDCS treatment sessions for two weeks. tDCS is a non-invasive method delivering a weak electrical current to specific areas of the brain to help reduce pain signals. Participants will complete brief daily pain surveys, questionnaires, and standard clinical interviews. The tDCS sessions will either take place in person at Emory's Executive Park Clinic or virtually with assistance as needed.
Participants will receive active tDCS treatment for two weeks and standard of care follow-up assessments at the 3, 6, and 12 month marks after treatment.
Participants will be recruited from those patients already entering or a part of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP) in Atlanta, Georgia.
The total enrollment for this study is up to 100 participants over the course of two years. It is expected that some individuals may not qualify after screening or will withdraw early. No specimens or biological samples will be stored for future research use. Data collected in the study will be de-identified and only used for this protocol.
Participants will review and sign an electronic consent form using a secure online system before active participation in the study. The consent form ensures participants fully understand the study, and they can withdraw at any time without penalty.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) plus accelerated Behavioral Health Program | Experimental | Device: Transcranial Direct Current StimulationParticipants will receive short, daily tDCS treatment sessions for two weeks. Starting Day 1, tDCS will be administered with a constant current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min per session for up to 10 sessions over 2 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 89 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Male or Female, 18-89 years old
- Treated on site for ABHP
- Willing to self-administer tDCS and complete the measures
- PEG pain intensity of 4 or more for most of the day at least 3 days per week
- Have an established PCP (Primary Care Provider) or pain management provider
Key exclusion criteria (31 listed)
- Implanted pacemaker
- Seizure Disorder
- Pregnancy, if applicable
- Any new onset of the following:
- Medical contraindications
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Direct Current StimulationAlso: tDCStDCS is a painless brain stimulation treatment that uses direct electrical currents (at a constant, low intensity level) to stimulate specific parts of the brain and help modulate neuronal activity. Participants will receive a series of tDCS treatments during the Accelerated Brain Health Program (ABHP) coupled with self-report of pain severity and interference tDCS has been used to improve cognitive functions and pain management. Starting Day 1 of EHVP-IOP, tDCS will be administered with a constant current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min per session for up to 10 sessions over 2 weeks | Device | Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) plus accelerated Behavioral Health Program |
Primary outcome
Change in PEG (Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity) scale
Time frame: Baseline, day 12 post-intervention (end of treatment)
The PEG scale includes 3 questions each rated from 0 (no pain) to 10 (Pain as bad as you can imagine) over the past 24 hours. Items include average pain, interference in enjoyment, and interference in general activity. Higher score correlates with worse study outcome.
1 secondary outcome
Change in PEG scale
Time frame: Baseline, 3,6, and 12 months post-intervention
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 14 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Sheila Rauch, PhD contact
Sheila Rauch, PhD principal investigator
Emory University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in people with Chronic Pain, run by Emory 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 5 inclusion and 31 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 14 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. 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?
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?
Contact Syreese Fuller (404-778-3188, syreese.fuller@emory.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in PEG (Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity) scale (time frame: Baseline, day 12 post-intervention (end of 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 14 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 4 Nov 2026.