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Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Pain

This study is investigating a new way to treat chronic pain that hasn't responded to other treatments. It uses Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a device that sends electrical signals to specific areas of the brain. The study will compare a new approach called "closed-loop DBS" to the traditional "open-loop DBS." Closed-loop DBS aims to adapt the stimulation based on your body's needs, potentially offering more lasting pain relief. You might be able to join if you are between 22 and 80 years old and have chronic pain from conditions like spinal cord injuries, nerve injuries, or post-surgical pain. The main goal is to see how much your pain improves after two years, measured by a Visual Analog Score (a way to rate pain). The study plans to enroll 12 participants.

Study design
This interventional study will enroll 12 participants. It involves a randomized comparison of DBS versus a sham treatment, and then a randomized, patient-blinded comparison of closed-loop DBS to open-loop DBS.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain levels will be measured at 2 years to assess the treatment's effectiveness.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04144972

Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Chronic Pain

Recruiting
NAAges 22–80InterventionalTreatment
University of California, San Francisco
~12 participants
Updated 2026-07-31 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Medtronic Summit RC+S or Percept RC

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Feasibility of identifying personalized physiological biomarkers and an optimal stimulation site during the temporary (externalized) trial stage
Measured over 60 days
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries
Nerve Injury
Pain, Postoperative
Post Herpetic Neuralgia
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
Post-Stroke Pain
Post Radiation Brain Injury
Post Radiation Plexopathy
Nerve Root Avulsion

Explore related trials

Chronic PainComplex Regional Pain SyndromeNerve DamageNerve Root AvulsionPain following cerebrovascular accidentPost Herpetic NeuralgiaPost Radiation Brain InjuryPost Radiation PlexopathySpinal Cord Injury

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Prasad Shirvalkar, M.D., Ph.D · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Francisco
  • Edward Chang, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Francisco
  • Philip Starr, M.D., Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Francisco

Who to contact

Catherine Borror
[email protected]
‪(415) 353-3494
Email the study team

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What this trial measures

  • Feasibility of identifying personalized physiological biomarkers and an optimal stimulation site during the temporary (externalized) trial stage60 days

    Identifying biomarkers in machine learning models that exceed chance and stimulation sites that provide clinically meaningful reductions in chronic pain during a temporary brain stimulation and recording period in hospital

  • Feasibility of implementing individualized closed-loop DBS for chronic pain2 years