Pain Control Using Neuromodulation in Patients Undergoing Definitive Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Cancer of Head and Neck
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Cancer of Head and Neck focused on measuring Cancer Pain, EEG, fNIRS, tDCS
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with AJCC stage III-IV head and neck malignancy scheduled for definitive radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy, and who are capable of understanding and adhering to the protocol requirements.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Substantial dementia
- Patients are actively being treated for another cancer at the time of enrollment.
- Any condition that would prevent use of tDCS including skull abnormality, implanted metal, implanted electronic device, seizure disorder, neurologic condition.
- Use of an investigational drug or device within 30 days of study screening
Sites / Locations
- University of Michigan
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Chemoradiotherapy Standard of Care
tDCS is a method of non-invasive brain stimulation that is based on the application of a weak direct current to the head that flows between two relatively large electrodes-anode and cathode. tDCS offers a unique analgesic modality of central pain neuromodulation by altering the activity of key sensory and motor cortical structures. Participants in this arm will undergo 20 tDCS sessions, tDCS in clinic and remotely supervised tDCS, and 2mA of transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied for 20 minutes.
The control group will consist of patients receiving the Standard of care and no neuromodulation.