The NeuRoStiM Trial - A randomised placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of an interactive brain-computer interface neuromodulation treatment combined with transcranial direct current stimulation for spinal cord injury neuropathic pain

Start year: 2025

Summary: This project brings together international experts in basic science and clinical approaches to spinal cord injury (SCI) neuropathic pain (NP) for a rigorous randomized clinical trial to examine the efficacy and mechanisms of an advanced interactive brain computer interface (BCI-N) treatment combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). BCI-N treatment teaches people with SCI NP to gain control over their brain rhythms via electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback in a way that reduces their pain. BCI-N will be supplemented by tDCS, intended to promote brain plasticity. Both tDCS and BCI-N are low-cost, have no side effects and can easily be translated into clinical practice. Our primary aim is to test whether 30-min BCI-N + tDCS treatment for 20 consecutive days offers sustained pain relief to SCI people with NP. Using cutting-edge neuroimaging technology, our secondary aim is to identify the brain mechanisms responsible for the recovery of SCI NP including efforts to prevent rather than relive SCI NP.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.