NCT07199361 · Florida International University
Uncovering the Mechanism of Pain Relief by Peripheral Transcutaneous Magnetic Stimulation
What this study is about
This research aims to uncover the Mechanisms of pain relief through the FDA-cleared peripheral transcutaneous magnetic stimulation (pTMS) device by MagVenture. 50 people with chronic pain (post-surgical or post-traumatic) will be identified and recruited.
View original scientific description
This research aims to uncover the Mechanisms of pain relief through the FDA-cleared peripheral transcutaneous magnetic stimulation (pTMS) device by MagVenture. 50 people with chronic pain (post-surgical or post-traumatic) will be identified and recruited. The eligibility for participation in the study will be evaluated by a series of pain and mental health questionnaires followed by quantitative sensory testing (QST) to assess response to noxious heat, cold, and pressure stimuli. Blood will be drawn to isolate plasma, serum, and leukocytes. Participants will then undergo pTMS at the site of pain for four consecutive days. At the end of the therapy, pain testing will be done again, followed by blood withdrawal to assess the changes in plasma and leukocyte levels of mediators of pain. It is anticipated that pTMS will increase mediators of pain relief and reduce inflammatory mediators. Risks: It is possible that a few participants may not respond to pTMS therapy. However, plasma analysis of mediators of pain may help stratify these participants into responders vs. non-responders. Risks associated with the study are minimal and mainly involve discomfort associated with pain testing. The importance of knowledge gained includes understanding pain relief mechanisms by medical devices such as pTMS, which will result in better pain management.
Interventions
DEVICE
Peripheral Transcutaneous Magnetic Stimulation from MagVenture
MagVenture Pain Therapy System: It is an FDA-cleared magnetic stimulator system that provides brief and focused magnetic pulses to non-invasively stimulate peripheral nerves and provide relief of chronic intractable, post-traumatic, and post-surgical pain for patients 18 years or older. It is a relatively new technique in the US for pain relief in the clinical setting and thus not very widespread yet. Evidence shows Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation to have a promising average pain relief of up to 87%\*. Using magnetic pulses, MagVenture Pain Therapy engages sensory, pain, and motor fibers mechanistically to recondition the central nervous system by eliminating noxious pain signals to the brain, reducing chronic neuropathic pain for responsive patients. \*Bedder M, Parker L.: Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (mPNS) for Chronic Pain, 2023
Primary outcome measures
Pressure Pain Assessment
Time frame: 1. On Day 1 (Baseline) 2. On Day 4 (post therapy)
Pressure Pain Threshold. A handheld probe (Algomed, Medoc) with a small (less than ½ inch wide) rubber tip will be used to apply pressure to the participant's forearm and shoulder. The pressure will slowly increase, and the participant will be asked to click a button when they first feel pain as a result of the pressure stimulation. The pressure will be removed as soon as the participant presses this button. This particular algometer will be used because it provides the examiner with visual feedback to maintain a consistent application rate, which is critical for maintaining high inter-examiner reliability. To assess the pressure pain threshold, the examiner will apply a constant rate of pressure, and the participant will be instructed to press a button when the sensation first becomes painful, at which time the device records the pressure in kilopascals. Higher kilopascals would suggest less pressure pain.
Thermal (Heat) pain
Time frame: 1. On day 1 (Baseline) 2. On day 4 (Post therapy)
Thermal (Heat) (Threshold, pain, and tolerance) will be assessed using TSA2 Air device from Medoc: A slowly increasing heat stimulus that the participant can terminate by pressing a button when it becomes painful or intolerable. The participant would press the button when they first feel warm (threshold), pain, or can no longer tolerate the heat. Lower heat indices indicate higher thermal sensitivity.
Thermal (Cold) Pain
Time frame: 1. On day 1 (Baseline) 2. On day 4 (Post therapy)
Thermal (Cold) (Threshold, pain, and tolerance) will be assessed using TSA2 Air device from Medoc: A slowly decreasing cold stimulus that the participant can terminate by pressing a button when it becomes painful or intolerable. The participant would press the button when they first feel cold (threshold), pain, or can no longer tolerate the cold. Higher cold indices indicate higher thermal sensitivity.
Temporal Heat Summation
Time frame: 1. On day 1 (Baseline) 2. On Day 4 (Post therapy)
Temporal heat summation will be measured using TSA2 Air device. A series of 5 brief heat pulses (about 2 seconds in duration) will be given, and the participant will be asked to rate how painful each heat pulse feels on a scale from 0 to 100. These heat pulses will be repeated at different temperatures (44° C, 46° C, and 48° C). The participant can stop the procedures at any time so that they do not experience unacceptable pain. Greater pain ratings indicate more pain
Conditioned Pain Modulation
Time frame: 1. On day 1 (Baseline) 2. On day 4 (Post Therapy)
Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) will be tested by TSA2 Air Device. The standard thermode will be placed on the left hand, and the heat pain rating will be assessed at 46 degrees. Then the right hand will be immersed in cold water for 30 seconds. The Heat pain test will be performed again on the left hand to assess Pain modulation. A normal response would indicate a decrease in heat pain on the left hand after immersing the right hand in cold water.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Confirmed diagnosis of chronic peripheral pain secondary to trauma or surgery. Age 19 - 80; the lower end of this age range was chosen to capture young adults with pain, and participants over 80 years are increasingly likely to meet one or more
Exclusion criteria
- . Currently receiving pain medication Chronic pain must self-report peripheral pain, more than once per week, for at least three consecutive months Exclusion Criteria:
- Implanted Electronic Devices and / or Conductive Objects in or near the head: Patients who have an implanted device that is activated or controlled in any way by physiological signals (examples: deep brain stimulators, cochlear implants, and vagus nerve stimulators). Non-Removable Metallic Objects near the coil: Patients who have conductive, ferromagnetic, or other magnetic-sensitive metals implanted in their head or within 30 cm of the treatment coil (examples: cochlear implants, implanted electrodes/stimulators, aneurysm clips or coils, stents, and bullet fragments). F NOTE: Standard amalgam dental fillings are not affected by the magnetic field and are acceptable in patients. Active microbial infections may alter the quantity or quality of blood inflammatory cells such as monocytes and neutrophils. Positive Urine Drug test: (COC/AMP/OPI/mAMP/PCP/BAR/BZO/MTD/MDMA/OXY/PPX/BUP/TCA) Use of any medication other than pain medications. However, participants will not be excluded or asked to withdraw from medications used for pain management since temporary withdrawal from these medications could affect pain measures (exceptions will be therapies such as methadone or buprenorphine used to treat opioid addiction). Only those who have been stable on these medications for at least 60 days will be included. All patient medications used for at least 60 days prior to participation will be recorded and controlled in statistical analyses as needed. Systemic rheumatic disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus). These rheumatologic conditions will be excluded due to their autoimmune characteristic. Cachexia (wasting syndrome) and severe frailty as determined by the Groningen Frailty Index (score \>4). This exclusion is in place to protect against the stress of experimental pain testing. Uncontrolled hypertension (i.e. SBP/DBP of \>140/90) or cardiovascular or peripheral arterial disease. These exclusions are in place primarily for safety reasons because the cold pressor task represents a cardiovascular challenge. However, uncontrolled hypertension can also affect pain perception, which is another reason for excluding these individuals. Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c \> 8%) for both safety reasons and because diabetic neuropathy could alter pain perception. Neurological disease (e.g. Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis). Serious psychiatric disorder requiring hospitalization within the past 12 months or characterized by active suicidal ideation. Any participant deemed to be actively suicidal upon study screening will be escorted to the emergency room and evaluated by the Psychiatry Service. A diminished cognitive function that would interfere with the understanding of study procedures. The Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) will be administered to ensure that participants are free of cognitive impairment that would compromise study participation. MMSE \<18 will be excluded. Pregnancy
Where
- Miami, Florida
Collaborators
Baptist Health South Florida
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
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Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
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Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
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Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 30, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations