Investigating the Feasibility, Efficacy, and Renormalization of Pain-Regulation Brain Circuits Underlying At-Home Transcutaneous Auricular Neuromodulation (tAN) for Managing Chronic Post-Stroke Pain
Medical University of South Carolina
Summary
The purpose of this study is to explore whether 4 weeks of at-home transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) can reduce chronic pain after a stroke. Investigators will recruit up to 24 participants with chronic post-stroke upper extremity pain. The goal is to determine if there is a pain reduction after ear stimulation.
Description
In this study, the investigators main goal is to establish transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) as an effective non-invasive neuromodulation method for pain management of post-stroke pain (PSP) and to investigate the brain circuit changes between pre- and post-treatment in individuals with PSP using brain imaging techniques. Aim 1. Assess the feasibility and efficacy of self-administered, at-home tAN for pain management in stroke survivors with chronic pain compared to sham. Aim 2. Investigate pain-induced brain activity changes over a one-month tAN treatment to understand the ana…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-80 * Have the capacity and ability to provide one's own consent in English and sign the informed consent document. * Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke that occurred at least 6 months prior Exclusion Criteria: * Primary intracerebral hematoma or subarachnoid hemorrhage * Documented history of dementia * Documented history of uncontrolled depression or psychiatric disorder * Uncontrolled hypertension despite treatment, specifically SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure) / DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure) \>=180/100mmHg * Contraindicated for MRI scanning * Pregnancy
Interventions
- DeviceTranscutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation
Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN) is a wearable, electrical stimulation device that delivers electricity to specific parts of the human ear.
Locations (2)
- 30 Bee StreetCharleston, South Carolina
- Medical University of South CaroliaCharleston, South Carolina