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Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Low Back Pain

This study is looking into how spinal cord stimulators (a device that sends electrical pulses to your spinal cord) affect people with chronic low back pain. Many people find relief with these stimulators, but it's hard to predict who will benefit most. This research aims to understand the brain changes that happen when the stimulator is turned on versus off. Researchers will use functional MRI (a type of brain scan) to see how brain connections change over one year. The goal is to find better ways to predict who will respond well to this treatment. You may be able to join if you are between 18 and 80 years old and have chronic low back pain. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 20 participants. It compares the effects of an epidural electrical spinal cord stimulator when it is turned on versus turned off.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for at least one year, as brain connectivity using functional MRI is measured at that time point.

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

NCT06310226

Phenotyping Response to Spinal Cord Stimulation in Chronic Low Back Pain

Recruiting
NAAges 18–80InterventionalBasic science
University of California, Los Angeles
~20 participants
Updated 2026-02-13 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Epidural electrical spinal cord stimulator

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Detection of brain connectivity using functional MRI
Measured over 1 year

Conditions

Chronic Low Back Pain

Explore related trials

Chronic low back pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Daniel C Lu, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, Los Angeles
  • Lily Chau, MD, PhD · STUDY_DIRECTOR · University of California, Los Angeles

Who to contact

Lily Chau, MD, PhD
[email protected]
310-267-1770
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Able to give informed consent for participation in the trial and be able to comply with study-related requirements, procedures, and visits
Male or female, between the ages of 18 and 80 years (inclusive)
Current self-report of chronic low back pain (pain between the lower posterior margin of the rib cage and the horizontal gluteal fold), which has persisted for \> the past 3 months AND has resulted in pain on \> 50% of days in the past 6 months\* (\*Chronic low back pain criteria as defined by the NIH Pain Consortium Research Task Force (RTF) and BACPAC Minimum Dataset Working Group)
Already undergoing spinal cord stimulator treatment for chronic low back pain
Able to use their lower extremities
Able to tolerate fMRI and neurophysiological evaluation

Exclusion

Significant decision-making incapacity preventing informed consent
Any medical condition that could interfere with study procedures, accurate pain reporting, and/or confound evaluation of study endpoints, as determined by the Investigator.
Lifetime history of psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, or other psychotic disorder), or current suicidal ideation
Any stimulation device and/or implant other than a spinal cord stimulator, such as a drug pump, pacemaker, deep brain stimulator (DBS), or sacral nerve stimulator (SNS)
Life expectancy of less than 1 year
Pregnant or nursing (if female and sexually active, patient must be using a reliable form of birth control, be surgically sterile, or be at least 2 years post-menopausal)
Any documented history of substance abuse (narcotics, alcohol, etc.) or substance dependency (not including marijuana use)
Participation in another clinical trial currently or within the past 30 days
Current treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Conditions that preclude assessing brain function by fMRI: previous head injury, brain surgery, dementia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cortical atrophy, serious neurological or medical illness, psychiatric illness, development disability, sensory impairment such as vision and hearing loss, history of birth weight less than 2000 grams and/or gestational age less than 34 weeks)
MRI compatibility: No major contraindication to MRI (e.g. claustrophobia, pacemaker, vascular stents, metallic ear tubes) and metal implants that would preclude use of MRI
History of spine surgery with existing instrumentation failure (i.e., broken screws or rods) or pseudarthrosis (lack of fusion) that could be the cause of CLBP
Any other comorbidity or condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator would make the subject unsuitable for the study or unable to comply with the study requirements

What this trial measures

  • Detection of brain connectivity using functional MRI1 year

    The primary objective of this study is to determine the effects of spinal cord stimulation on chronic low back pain by comparing the functional changes in the central nervous system as measured by fMRI when the spinal cord stimulator is turned on versus when it is turned off.