MC5-A Scrambler Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Extremity Pain
Peripheral Neuropathy, Low Back Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Peripheral Neuropathy focused on measuring peripheral neuropathy, traumatic tissue injury, radiculopathy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- military service members (active duty & retirees) between the ages of 18 and 79, inclusive
- neuropathic pain symptoms present for 3 months or greater prior to entry into the study
- rated pain intensity equal to or greater than 3 on NRS-11 pain scale
- painful peripheral neuropathy in an extremity that is the result of a traumatic injury (post-traumatic/ post-surgical neuropathy, stump pain, entrapment neuropathy), or low back pain with radiculopathy
- stable pain medication treatment regimen
- able to speak and read English, understand the study procedures, and consent to study participation
Exclusion Criteria:
- pacemaker or other implantable devices
- vena cava, aneurysm clips, coronary or other vascular stents
- pregnancy via a pregnancy test
- history of epilepsy, brain injury, symptomatic brain metastases
- prior celiac plexus block, or other neurolytic pain control treatment, within 4 weeks
- wounds or skin irritation in areas where the electrodes are required to be placed
- cardiac ischemia within the previous 6 months
- severe arrhythmia
- documented history of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
- latex allergies
- open wound over site of chronic pain
- unable to stop anti-epileptic medications or gabapentin over 2 weeks of MC5-A ST treatment
- history of electroanalgesia treatment (electroacupuncture, biomodulator, TENS) over last 30 days
- participation in the study would delay the medical board (MEB) processing of the service member off of active duty status or would delay a return to duty status to their home unit.
- metal implants such as cardiac pacemakers, automatic defibrillators, aneurysm clips, vena cava clips and skull plates
Sites / Locations
- Brooke Army Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Sham Comparator
MC5-A Scrambler Therapy
MC5-A Scrambler Therapy Sham Device
MC5-A Scrambler Therapy is an electroanalgesia device that interferes with pain signal transmission by using nerve fibers as a passive means to convey a no pain message to the central nervous system. Electrodes are placed on dermatomes that correspond to the area of pain. Patient is treated for 30 minutes and given up to 10 treatment sessions.
The MC5-A Scrambler Therapy Device will be used as an active sham device in this randomized double blind study. Participants assigned to this arm will not receive active therapy.