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NCT Number: NCT03137472

TMS for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

The aim of the current study is to assess the efficacy of TMS in the treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). It is hypothesized that participants who receive TMS (Group 1) relative to sham treatment (Group 2) once daily for two days will demonstrate a greater improvement in CRPS-related pain and other associated symptomology (i.e., cognitive, emotional and physical) compared to baseline. Participants will be followed until they reach their baseline for two consecutive weeks to assess safety and duration of symptom alleviation.

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Key information

Conditions

Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Autonomic Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Peripheral Nervous System Diseases

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Stanford Pain Management Center

Redwood City, California, 94043, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Birute Gedrimaite

CONTACT

[email protected]

650-497-0485

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18-70
  • Diagnosis of CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) for at least 3 months
  • Average pain level reported on Numerical Rating Scale meets entry criteria
  • Ability to perform the experimental task and procedures.

Exclusion criteria

  • MRI contraindication (metal implants or devices, claustrophobia)
  • TMS Contraindication (eg metal implant or devices near the site of stimulation)
  • History of epilepsy
  • History of a psychological or psychiatric disorder that would interfere with study procedures, at the discretion of the researcher.
  • Neurologic illness that would interfere with brain integrity
  • Current medical condition or medication use that would interfere with study procedures or data integrity, at the discretion of the researcher.
  • Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
  • On going legal action or disability claim.

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Device

The Magventure TMS stimulator will be used to perform intermittent theta burst followed by high frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain

    Time frame: 1 week follow-up compared to baseline

    Decrease in CRPS-related Pain Ratings

  2. Duration of Pain Relief

    Time frame: Duration from last treatment until pain returns - up to an estimate of 6 months

    Duration of decreased CRPS-related pain ratings, measured as a length of time until pain returns for two consecutive weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain-related Symptomology

    Time frame: Duration from last treatment until pain returns - up to an estimate of 6 months

    Decreases in Pain-related Symptomology (i.e., cognitive, emotional and physical)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Omar Altirkawi

CONTACT

[email protected]

(650) 497-0485

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stanford University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Redlich Pain Endowment
  • Rocky Mountain Foundation
  • The Feldman Family Foundation Pain Research Fund

Registry information

Official study title

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
May 2, 2017
Registry last updated
Jun 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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