Mechanisms and Utility of Multisensory Body- Representation in SCI and SCI-Related Neuropathic Pain
University of Miami
Summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of bodily illusions combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on neuropathic pain symptoms and sensory functions in participants with spinal cord injury (SCI) and neuropathic pain.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
The study will be open to people of any ethnicity, racial background, and gender. Inclusion criteria: SCI with Pain: 1. Men or women 2. fluent in English 3. 18-70 years of age who have: (3a) Complete and incomplete SCI, level of injury (above L1); (3b) Persistent neuropathic pain started after the injury for a minimum of three months prior to entering the study that is at least moderate in severity, defined as ≥ 4 on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging 0 to 10. Exclusion criteria: Participants will be excluded if they have: 1. Major psychiatric disease/disorder (self-reported); 2. a sig…
Interventions
- OthertDCS and bodily illusions
Participants will be required to perform (in person) 10 interventions over a time frame of 2-4 weeks. They can perform this everyday or for a minimum of 2-3 times per week over 4 weeks. Two types of illusions will be used 15 min each, the rubber hand illusion and the walking illusion to target upper and lower limbs. These procedures will impact the body representation of the participants resulting in bodily illusions.
Location
- University of MiamiMiami, Florida