Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cancer Pain Management

Launched by TAIPEI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Apr 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to help manage pain in cancer patients. Many people with cancer experience significant pain, which can be difficult to control even with traditional pain medications like opioids. The trial aims to see if rTMS, a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain, can improve pain relief by changing how the brain processes pain signals.

To participate in the trial, patients must have cancer-related pain that is confirmed by a doctor and experience a certain level of pain (a score of 4 or higher on a scale from 0 to 10). They should also be able to understand and cooperate during the assessments. Patients who have had certain types of brain surgery, have metallic implants in their head, or have specific medical conditions may not be eligible. During the study, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the rTMS treatment or a placebo (sham treatment) and will undergo brain imaging and pain assessments before and after the treatment to see how effective it is. This trial is not yet recruiting, but it represents an important step in exploring new options for managing cancer pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients have cancer pain symptoms, confirmed by a physician as cancer pain or neuropathic cancer pain
• • 2. Experienced the worst pain NRS score ≥ 4
• • 3. The patient demonstrate good cognition and is able to cooperate with the assessment of pain severity.
• • 4. The estimated survival time exceeds 3 months.
• • 5. Pre-existing bisphosphonate, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy regimens remained unchanged throughout the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Individuals who have undergone head surgery or have metal implants in the head.
• • 2. Individuals with implanted cardiac pacemakers or cochlear prostheses.
• • 3. Have a history of epilepsy.
• • 4. Patients diagnosed with primary brain tumors or metastatic brain lesions.
• • 5. Present with additional neurological, psychiatric, or severe medical disorders.
• • 6. Individuals with metallic implants located in the cranial or cervical regions.
• • 7. Women who are pregnant.
• • 8. Presence of acute pain in any body region attributable to other medical conditions. -