Virtual Walking and Neuromulation to Reduce Neuropathic Pain After a Spinal Cord Injury

Technology
Pain
Online since 20 January 2026, updated today

About this trial

This feasibility trial is enrolling 10 participants with spinal cord injury who experience neuropathic pain to test the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with virtual reality (VR)–based walking and lower-limb muscle vibration. tDCS is a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the brain delivered by surface electrodes attached to the scalp. VR is a computer-generated experience of visual displays that simulate the real world through head-mounted displays such as smart-glasses. If included, participants will take part in 10 sessions. Final assessment of pain will be performed after 8 months.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
≥ 18 years
Injury level
C1 - S5
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-A
    AIS-B
    AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    All
    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C1-S5
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT have a pacemaker or metallic implants in the brain or eyes

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will take part in 10 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with immersive virtual reality (VR)–based walking and lower-limb muscle vibration. - tDCS is a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the brain delivered by surface electrodes attached to the scalp. - VR is a computer generated experience of visual displays that are similar to the real world, through head-mounted displays such as smart-glasses. - The sessions will begin with 5 minutes of tDCS alone, followed by 15minutes of combined tDCS, virtual reality and muscle vibration. - Final assessment of pain will be performed after 8 months.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Pain

    Additional benefits

    General health

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more


    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Dec 2025
    • Organisation
    • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Dec 2025
    • Organisation
    • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more