Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN)Phase 4MCPAINNCT07795593
Modality Choice Before and After Failure for the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
A Phase 4 study testing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Oral Medication and Topical Medication in people with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) and Diabetic Nephropathies, run by University of Michigan at 23 sites in United States.
Trial summary
The research team will perform a comparative-effectiveness sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial in painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) patients for 8 total months, divided into two 4-month stages. 600 participants 18+ with PDN will be enrolled in this study. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN), Diabetic Nephropathies
- What is being tested?
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Oral Medication and Topical Medication
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 600 participants
- Where
- 23 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- Nov 2026to Jul 2031
- Phase
- Phase 4
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
- Diabetes
- Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (confirmed at screening visit)
- Willing to accept random treatment assignment to any of the proposed interventions
Who cannot join
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during the study
- History of neuropathy from causes other than diabetes as determined through medical and family history, physical and neurologic examinations
- HbA1c >10%
- Participation in an experimental medication trial within 3 months of starting the study
- Undergoing therapy for malignant disease other than basal-cell or squamous-cell skin cancer
- Medical or psychiatric reason for not being a study candidate according to the site PI's discretion
- Contraindications preventing trialing two interventions within any of the 3 modalities
- Cirrhosis of the liver
Trial locations and contacts
23 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
23 sites in 1 country
United States23 sites
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104
Shannon Considine, 734-232-6483, sconsidi@med.umich.edu
Lynn Ang, MD
Johns Hopskins University
Baltimore, Maryland, 21224
Eva Tseng
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
Elizabeth Burnett, Elizabeth_ODonohue@med.unc.edu
Laura Young
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60612
Bartosz Jacher, Bartosz_Jacher@rush.edu
Rabia Malik
University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri, 65201
Megan Burnam-Cole, burnamma@health.missouri.edu
Richard Barohn
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, 27708
Jhoanna Aquino, jhoannazaida.aquino@duke.edu
Ranee Chatterjee, MD
DHR Health Institute for Research and Development
Edinburg, Texas, 78539
Clarisa Medina, c.medina@dhrhealth.com
Marcel Twahirwa
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
Brian Gryzlak, brian-gryzlak@uiowa.edu
Marcelo Correia
University of Florida-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, 32209
Grace Bienkowski, grace.bienkowski@jax.ufl.edu
Joe Chehade
BaylorScott & White University Medical Center
McKinney, Texas, 75071
Priyanka Rana, Priyanka.Rana@BSWHealth.org
Dana Bleakney
Allina Health-Neurosciences Research
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55407
Emeryth Beloy, emeryth.beloy@allina.com
Goel Vasudha
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
Sarah Hilbert, hilbe010@umn.edu
Pitcha Choompongpod
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, Tennessee, 37208
Abraham Garcia Ortega, agarcia@mmc.edu
Nandakumar Bangalore Vittal, MD
University of Vanderbilt
Nashville, Tennessee, 37235
Allie Bell, allie.m.bell@vumc.org
Amanda Peltier, MD
Tulane University
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
Vivian Fonseca
Columbia University
New York, New York, 10027
Raisy Fayerman, rf2632@cumc.columbia.edu
Thomas Brannagan, MD
Weill Cornell Medicine
New York, New York, 10065
Michele Steinkamp, mls9004@med.cornell.edu
Lisa Witkin
University of Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska, 68198
Susan Bubach, susan.burbach@unmc.edu
Lisa Kuechenmeister, likuechenmeister@nebraskamed.com
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon, 97239
Aly Carlson, carlsaly@ohsu.edu
Rodica Busui
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55902
Kamal Shouman
Essentia Health
Spooner, Wisconsin, 54801
Nathan Mukai, nathan.mukai@essentiahealth.org
Stephen Rostad
Stanford University
Stanford, California, 94305
Barbara Hung, barbhung@stanford.edu
Dong In Sinn
University of Pittsburgh
Titusville, Pennsylvania, 16354
Autumn Boyer, ARB352@pitt.edu
Emily Klawson, ekk15@pitt.edu
About this study
Official title: Modality Choice Before and After Failure for the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (MCPAIN)
The research team will perform a comparative-effectiveness sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial in painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) patients for 8 total months, divided into two 4-month stages. 600 participants 18+ with PDN will be enrolled in this study. The main goal is to compare the utility of three modalities (oral, topical, and behavioral) for initial PDN treatment, and to compare the utility of switching modalities versus continuing with the same modality for non-responders. Pain and discontinuation will be assessed weekly, whereas other outcomes will be assessed monthly for 8 months.
- Being tested
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Oral Medication, Topical Medication
- Medical subject headings
- Diabetic Neuropathies, Diabetic Nephropathies
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Device
Participants will work with study team to begin web-based, self-guided CBT (non-significant risk device) or traditional (one on one) CBT with a therapist (behavioral, not a device).
Oral MedicationDrug
Participants will work with their physician to select an oral medication from a list commonly used to treat PDN. Patients will follow standard of care dosing and tapering of the assigned drug.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI's): Duloxetine, Venlafaxine, Desvenlafaxine Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline Gabapentinoids: Gabapentin, Pregabalin Sodium Channel Blockers: Oxcarbazepine, Lamotrigine, Lacosamide
Topical MedicationDrug
Participants will work with their physician to select a topical medication from a list commonly used to treat PDN.
0.075% capsaicin cream (4 times daily) 4-5% lidocaine patches (1-4 patches every 24 hours)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Medication then New Oral Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to oral medications, and are considered non-responders at 4 months will be rerandomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to oral medications will select a new oral medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Drug: Oral Medication |
| Oral Medication then Same Oral Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to oral medications, and are considered responders at 4 months will continue with the same oral medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Drug: Oral Medication |
| Oral Medication then Topical Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to oral medications, and are considered non-responders at 4 months will be rerandomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to topical medications will select a topical medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Drug: Oral Medication; Drug: Topical Medication |
| Oral Medication then Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Experimental | Participants randomized to oral medications, and are considered non-responders at 4 months will be re-randomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to a behavioral intervention will begin self-guided CBT for the next 4 months. Receives: Device: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Drug: Oral Medication |
| Topical Medication then New Topical Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to topical medications, and are considered non-responders at 4 months will be rerandomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to topical medications will select a new topical medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Drug: Topical Medication |
| Topical Medication then Same Topical Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to topical medications, and are considered responders at 4 months will continue with the same topical medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Drug: Topical Medication |
| Topical Medication then Oral Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to topical medications, and are considered non-responders at 4 months will be re-randomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to oral medications will select an oral medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Drug: Oral Medication; Drug: Topical Medication |
| Topical Medication then Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Experimental | Participants randomized to topical medications, and are considered non-responders at 4 months will be re-randomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to a behavioral intervention will begin self-guided CBT for the next 4 months. Receives: Device: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Drug: Topical Medication |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy then Same Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Experimental | Participants randomized to behavioral interventions will all begin with self-guided CBT. If considered responders at 4 months they will continue with self-guided CBT for the next 4 months. Receives: Device: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy then New Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Experimental | Participants randomized to behavioral interventions will all begin with self-guided CBT. If considered non-responders at 4 months, they will be rerandomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to a behavioral intervention will begin traditional CBT for the next 4 months. Receives: Device: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy then Oral Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to behavioral interventions will all begin with self-guided CBT. Non-responders at 4 months will be re-randomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to oral medications will select an oral medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Device: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Drug: Oral Medication |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy then Topical Medication | Experimental | Participants randomized to behavioral interventions will all begin with self-guided CBT. Non-responders at 4 months will be re-randomized to a new treatment modality (oral, topical, behavioral). Those re-randomized to topical medications will select a topical medication for the next 4 months. Receives: Device: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Drug: Topical Medication |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Patient-centered utility function as a measure for efficacy and tolerability
Efficacy and tolerability will be assessed and measured as utility function. Utility function ranges from 0-1.75, 0 being the lowest utility function and 1.75 being the highest utility function. Utility function that is a composite of efficacy (0-1) and discontinuation (0-1).
Measured: Up to 8 months.
Secondary outcomes (12)
Pain intensity
Pain intensity as measured by first question of the "Pain, Enjoyment, General Activity" (PEG) numeric rating scale, where a score of 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable.
Measured: Up to 8 months.
Pain interference
Pain interference as measured by the sum of the second two questions of the "Pain, Enjoyment, General Activity" (PEG) numeric rating scale, where a score of 0 is no interference with daily life and 20 is the complete interference with daily life.
Measured: Up to 8 months.
Discontinuation
Rate of treatment discontinuation for any reason, including withdrawal From enrollment to end of treatment at 8 months.
Measured: Up to 8 months
Related adverse events
Adverse events reported by local sites and determined to be related to the treatment.
Measured: Up to 8 months.
Physical functioning/Quality of Life (QOL)
Physical function/QOL as measured by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical functioning Short Form 6b, a 5 question questionnaire. Each question is measured with a likert scale, where 5 is "without any difficulty" and 1 is "unable to do"
Measured: Up to 8 months.
Neuropathy specific QOL
Neuropathy Quality of Life (NeuroQOL) evaluates symptoms and function in regard to quality of life over the past four weeks. Range 1-15, higher score indicates neuropathy having a greater impact on quality of life.
Measured: Up to 8 months
Depression
As measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), a two-question questionnaire where each depression symptom is scored on a scale of 0-3, where 0 is "not at all" and 3 is "nearly every day". The total score range is 0-6 where the higher score indicates more depression symptoms.
Measured: Up to 8 months
Anxiety
As measured by the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2), a two-question questionnaire where each anxiety symptom is scored on a scale of 0-3, where 0 is "not at all" and 3 is "nearly every day". The total score range is 0-6 where the higher score indicates more anxiety symptoms.
Measured: Up to 8 months
Sleep
Sleep Quality represented by the sum of scores on the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance 6a and an additional question regarding sleep duration.
Measured: Up to 8 months
Pain Catastrophizing
As measured by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale Short Form 6, where a score of 0 is catastrophizing "not at all" and 52 is catastrophizing "all the time"
Measured: Up to 8 months
Global treatment satisfaction
As measured by Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), a single question on a scale of 0-6, where 0 is "very much improved" and 6 is "very much worse".
Measured: Up to 8 months
Substance use screener
As measured by the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medications, and other Substance (TAPS 1) questionnaire, which is five questions on a scale of 0-4, where 0 is "daily or almost daily use" and 4 is "never use".
Measured: Up to 8 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Aug 2026
- Study startNov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionMay 2031 (estimated)
- Study completionJul 2031 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MichiganThe 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 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- a comparative-effectiveness sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 600 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Michigan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Brian Callaghan, University of Michigan
- Investigators
- Brian Callaghan, MD, Principal investigator, University of Michigan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07795593
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HUM00292431
- Other IDs
- BPS-2025C2-45514
- Acronym
- MCPAIN
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 21 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Full, de-identified datasets will be deposited in a PCORI-designated repository at study completion. Study team will follow all rules and regulations of the funding agency, which can be found here: https://www.pcori.org/about/governance/pcoris-policy-data-management-and-data-sharing