Diabetic NeuropathiesNCT07619794
tSCS and AR on Pain and Balance in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
A study testing transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality in people with Diabetic Neuropathies, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
tSCS and AR-based training have individually shown benefits in neuromotor rehabilitation; no study to date has evaluated their combined effects on pain, balance, lower-limb strength, retention, and vibration sense in diabetic neuropathy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Diabetic Neuropathies
- What is being tested?
- transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2026to 31 Jan 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 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- More than or equals to 4 score on Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire
- More than or equals to 6 Hz at Neurothesiometer
- More than or equals to 4 score on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Who cannot join
- Cognitively compromised (MOCA ≤ 26/30)
- Metallic implants at skull
- Shunting
- Skin allergy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Combined Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS) and Augmented Reality (AR) Training on Pain and Balance in Diabetic Neuropathy Patients.
tSCS and AR-based training have individually shown benefits in neuromotor rehabilitation; no study to date has evaluated their combined effects on pain, balance, lower-limb strength, retention, and vibration sense in diabetic neuropathy. The rationale for combining them lies in their complementary mechanisms: tSCS at 30 Hz activates large-diameter Aβ afferents, inhibiting nociceptive input, enhancing spinal excitability, and facilitating motor activation.
Read the detailed description
In Pakistan, 26.3% of the population is affected, and DN impacts about 40% of cases, with early signs reducing function. (9-11) Standard care includes glycemic control, medications like duloxetine and pregabalin, topical agents, and modalities such as TENS.
Alongside pain, lower-limb strength declines due to motor axonal degeneration and prolonged disuse, (1) limiting mobility and increasing the risk of falls. Balance impairments are frequent in DN and result from compromised proprioceptive input and impaired postural control mechanisms; (4) these deficits are exacerbated by pain-related inactivity and muscular weakness.
Augmented reality (AR) based rehabilitation delivers multisensory feedback, such as visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs, during interactive, task-specific training. It enhances sensorimotor coordination, dynamic postural stability, and proprioceptive reweighting. AR training can improve balance responses, promote lower-limb engagement, and reinforce accurate proprioceptive input.
The tSCS enabled stepping in individuals with complete motor loss, confirming its impact on lower-limb functional recovery. Additionally, this stimulation frequency targets mechano-sensory pathways associated with vibration sense and is believed to support retention of sensorimotor gains through repeated activation of neuroplastic mechanisms at the spinal and cortical levels.
- Conditions
- Diabetic Neuropathies
- Being tested
- transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, Augmented Reality
- Keywords
- Spinal cord stimulation, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, pain, balance
- Medical subject headings
- Diabetic Neuropathies, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
transcutaneous spinal cord stimulationOther
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation will be administered non-invasively using surface electrodes placed over the D12-L1 spinal segment. This segmental level has been shown to effectively engage lower-limb motor and sensory networks across multiple spinal segments. Stimulation will be delivered using the Soterix 1×1 Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TES) unit. Stimulation will be applied at a frequency range of 30 Hz. Pulse duration of 1 ms, and intensity will be set at 2 mA. A ramp-up and ramp-down time of 30 seconds will be used to enhance participant comfort during the start and end of each stimulation session, following standardized electrode placement and safety protocols.
Augmented RealityOther
AR-based rehabilitation will consist of interactive balance and coordination tasks conducted in a virtual environment, with real-time visual feedback provided to guide movement accuracy and postural control. The core training block will include five structured modules: interactive kicking exercises to promote ankle and knee coordination; color-target foot-reaching tasks to enhance proprioception and reaction time; virtual obstacle navigation to improve gait and stepping control; static and dynamic balance challenges, such as maintaining posture on virtual planks; and lower-limb strengthening activities, including squats and stepping-based games. Each module will be performed for 5-8 minutes, with brief rest periods between tasks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation; Other: Augmented Reality |
| Augmented Reality Group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Augmented Reality |
| Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation Group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a quick, 11-point measure (0 = no pain to 10 = worst imaginable) commonly used across clinical and research settings. Recent studies demonstrate test-retest reliability ranging from 0.58 to 0.93 (good to excellent), with moderate evidence for a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 1.5-2.5 points.
Measured: Up to week 5 (baseline/week 1/week 5)
Time Up and Go (TUG)
The TUG test is a simple, clinically validated tool used to assess dynamic balance and functional mobility. It requires an individual to rise from a seated position, walk three meters, turn, return, and sit down. The TUG demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 across multiple trials.
Measured: Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)
Secondary outcomes (2)
30 Second Chair Stand Test
The 30-Second Chair Stand Test is a widely used, performance-based tool for assessing lower-limb strength and functional mobility. Among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a population commonly affected by diabetic neuropathy, the test has demonstrated excellent reliability. A test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.92, indicating excellent relative reliability. In terms of measurement precision, the standard error of measurement (SEM) was 1.08 repetitions, and the smallest real difference (SRD) was 3 repetitions, reflecting the threshold for clinically meaningful change.
Measured: Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)
Neurothesiometer
The neurothesiometer is a non-invasive and reliable instrument used to assess vibration perception threshold (VPT). It has demonstrated excellent reliability, with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) exceeding 0.90, indicating strong measurement consistency. A VPT cut-off value of ≥ 6 Hz is indicative of neuropathy. Owing to its ease of use, objective quantification, and ability to detect subclinical neuropathy, the neurothesiometer is highly valuable in clinical practice. Its superior standardization makes it a preferred method for evaluating protective sensation and vibration loss, particularly in individuals with diabetes.
Measured: Up to week 5 (Baseline/Week 1/week 5)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jun 2026
- Study start15 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Diabetic NeuropathiesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Mirza Obaid Baig, MSPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07619794
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC02262 Mahnoor Imtiaz
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Petersen EA, Stauss TG, Scowcroft JA, Brooks ES, White JL, Sills SM, Amirdelfan K, Guirguis MN, Xu J, Yu C, Nairizi A, Patterson DG, Tsoulfas KC, Creamer MJ, Galan V, Bundschu RH, Paul CA, Mehta ND, Choi H, Sayed D, Lad SP, DiBenedetto DJ, Sethi KA, Goree JH, Bennett MT, Harrison NJ, Israel AF, Chang P, Wu PW, Gekht G, Argoff CE, Nasr CE, Taylor RS, Subbaroyan J, Gliner BE, Caraway DL, Mekhail NA. Effect of High-frequency (10-kHz) Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2021 Jun 1;78(6):687-698. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.0538.
PubMed 33818600Lamichhane P, Sukralia S, Alam B, Shaikh S, Farrukh S, Ali S, Ojha R. Augmented reality-based training versus standard training in improvement of balance, mobility and fall risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2023 Jun 20;85(8):4026-4032. doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000000986. eCollection 2023 Aug.
PubMed 37554880Henson JV, Varhabhatla NC, Bebic Z, Kaye AD, Yong RJ, Urman RD, Merkow JS. Spinal Cord Stimulation for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review. Pain Ther. 2021 Dec;10(2):895-908. doi: 10.1007/s40122-021-00282-9. Epub 2021 Jul 10.
PubMed 34244979Strand NH, Burkey AR. Neuromodulation in the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Review of Evidence for Spinal Cord Stimulation. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022 Mar;16(2):332-340. doi: 10.1177/19322968211060075. Epub 2021 Nov 29.
PubMed 34842478Gylfadottir SS, Christensen DH, Nicolaisen SK, Andersen H, Callaghan BC, Itani M, Khan KS, Kristensen AG, Nielsen JS, Sindrup SH, Andersen NT, Jensen TS, Thomsen RW, Finnerup NB. Diabetic polyneuropathy and pain, prevalence, and patient characteristics: a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 5,514 patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Pain. 2020 Mar;161(3):574-583. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001744.
PubMed 31693539
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Combined Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS) and Augmented Reality (AR) Training on Pain and Balance in Diabetic Neuropathy Patients.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07619794
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC02262 Mahnoor Imtiaz
- Conditions
- Diabetic Neuropathies
- Keywords
- Spinal cord stimulation, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, pain, balance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jun 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.
tSCS and AR-based training have individually shown benefits in neuromotor rehabilitation; no study to date has evaluated their combined effects on pain, balance, lower-limb strength, retention, and vibration sense in diabetic neuropathy. The rationale for combining them lies in their complementary mechanisms: tSCS at 30 Hz activates large-diameter Aβ afferents, inhibiting nociceptive input, enhancing spinal excitability, and facilitating motor activation.
Detailed description
In Pakistan, 26.3% of the population is affected, and DN impacts about 40% of cases, with early signs reducing function. (9-11) Standard care includes glycemic control, medications like duloxetine and pregabalin, topical agents, and modalities such as TENS.
Alongside pain, lower-limb strength declines due to motor axonal degeneration and prolonged disuse, (1) limiting mobility and increasing the risk of falls. Balance impairments are frequent in DN and result from compromised proprioceptive input and impaired postural control mechanisms; (4) these deficits are exacerbated by pain-related inactivity and muscular weakness.
Augmented reality (AR) based rehabilitation delivers multisensory feedback, such as visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs, during interactive, task-specific training. It enhances sensorimotor coordination, dynamic postural stability, and proprioceptive reweighting. AR training can improve balance responses, promote lower-limb engagement, and reinforce accurate proprioceptive input.
The tSCS enabled stepping in individuals with complete motor loss, confirming its impact on lower-limb functional recovery. Additionally, this stimulation frequency targets mechano-sensory pathways associated with vibration sense and is believed to support retention of sensorimotor gains through repeated activation of neuroplastic mechanisms at the spinal and cortical levels.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality Group | Experimental | Other: transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, Other: Augmented Reality |
| Augmented Reality Group | Active comparator | Other: Augmented Reality |
| Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation Group | Active comparator | Other: transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- More than or equals to 4 score on Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire
- More than or equals to 6 Hz at Neurothesiometer
- More than or equals to 4 score on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Cognitively compromised (MOCA ≤ 26/30)
- Metallic implants at skull
- Shunting
- Skin allergy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| transcutaneous spinal cord stimulationTranscutaneous spinal cord stimulation will be administered non-invasively using surface electrodes placed over the D12-L1 spinal segment. This segmental level has been shown to effectively engage lower-limb motor and sensory networks across multiple spinal segments. Stimulation will be delivered using the Soterix 1×1 Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TES) unit. Stimulation will be applied at a frequency range of 30 Hz. Pulse duration of 1 ms, and intensity will be set at 2 mA. A ramp-up and ramp-down time of 30 seconds will be used to enhance participant comfort during the start and end of each stimulation session, following standardized electrode placement and safety protocols. | Other | Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation Group, Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality Group |
| Augmented RealityAR-based rehabilitation will consist of interactive balance and coordination tasks conducted in a virtual environment, with real-time visual feedback provided to guide movement accuracy and postural control. The core training block will include five structured modules: interactive kicking exercises to promote ankle and knee coordination; color-target foot-reaching tasks to enhance proprioception and reaction time; virtual obstacle navigation to improve gait and stepping control; static and dynamic balance challenges, such as maintaining posture on virtual planks; and lower-limb strengthening activities, including squats and stepping-based games. Each module will be performed for 5-8 minutes, with brief rest periods between tasks. | Other | Augmented Reality Group, Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality Group |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: Up to week 5 (baseline/week 1/week 5)
The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a quick, 11-point measure (0 = no pain to 10 = worst imaginable) commonly used across clinical and research settings. Recent studies demonstrate test-retest reliability ranging from 0.58 to 0.93 (good to excellent), with moderate evidence for a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 1.5-2.5 points.
Time Up and Go (TUG)
Time frame: Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)
The TUG test is a simple, clinically validated tool used to assess dynamic balance and functional mobility. It requires an individual to rise from a seated position, walk three meters, turn, return, and sit down. The TUG demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 across multiple trials.
2 secondary outcomes
30 Second Chair Stand Test
Time frame: Up to week 5 (Baseline/week 1/week 5)
Neurothesiometer
Time frame: Up to week 5 (Baseline/Week 1/week 5)
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 2 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 33818600Petersen EA, Stauss TG, Scowcroft JA, Brooks ES, White JL, Sills SM, Amirdelfan K, Guirguis MN, Xu J, Yu C, Nairizi A, Patterson DG, Tsoulfas KC, Creamer MJ, Galan V, Bundschu RH, Paul CA, Mehta ND, Choi H, Sayed D, Lad SP, DiBenedetto DJ, Sethi KA, Goree JH, Bennett MT, Harrison NJ, Israel AF, Chang P, Wu PW, Gekht G, Argoff CE, Nasr CE, Taylor RS, Subbaroyan J, Gliner BE, Caraway DL, Mekhail NA. Effect of High-frequency (10-kHz) Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2021 Jun 1;78(6):687-698. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.0538.
- Background: PubMed 37554880Lamichhane P, Sukralia S, Alam B, Shaikh S, Farrukh S, Ali S, Ojha R. Augmented reality-based training versus standard training in improvement of balance, mobility and fall risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2023 Jun 20;85(8):4026-4032. doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000000986. eCollection 2023 Aug.
- Background: PubMed 34244979Henson JV, Varhabhatla NC, Bebic Z, Kaye AD, Yong RJ, Urman RD, Merkow JS. Spinal Cord Stimulation for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review. Pain Ther. 2021 Dec;10(2):895-908. doi: 10.1007/s40122-021-00282-9. Epub 2021 Jul 10.
- Background: PubMed 34842478Strand NH, Burkey AR. Neuromodulation in the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Review of Evidence for Spinal Cord Stimulation. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022 Mar;16(2):332-340. doi: 10.1177/19322968211060075. Epub 2021 Nov 29.
- Background: PubMed 31693539Gylfadottir SS, Christensen DH, Nicolaisen SK, Andersen H, Callaghan BC, Itani M, Khan KS, Kristensen AG, Nielsen JS, Sindrup SH, Andersen NT, Jensen TS, Thomsen RW, Finnerup NB. Diabetic polyneuropathy and pain, prevalence, and patient characteristics: a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 5,514 patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Pain. 2020 Mar;161(3):574-583. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001744.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Diabetic Neuropathies
Active, not recruiting
Wearable Insoles for Recurrent Diabetic Ulcer Prevention
Diabetes, Peripheral Neuropathy
Recruiting
Effect of 4-7-8 Breathing Technique on Pain and Anxiety During Electromyography in Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic Neuropathies, Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
Active, not recruiting
Comparative Effects Of Sensory Reweighting And Proprioceptive Facilitation Training On Balance And Fall Risk In Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)
Not yet recruiting
Adaptive Gamified Sensory Training on Sensory Function and Limb-Specific Functional Performance in Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Active, not recruiting
Comparative Effects of tDCS and tACS on Pain, Dexterity, and Strength in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)
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.
Mirza Obaid Baig, MSPT principal investigator
Riphah International 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 transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and Augmented Reality in people with Diabetic Neuropathies, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 3 inclusion and 4 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jun 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 Pakistan. 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 Mahnoor Imtiaz, DPT (0092 315 5214237, mahnoorimtiaz54@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: Up to week 5 (baseline/week 1/week 5)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT07619794, which also lists 5 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 2 Jun 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.