Autonomic tone study in cancer pain
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prospective, open-label, single site pilot study to assess the effects of spinal cord stimulation on autonomic function in patients with post-chemotherapy and post-radiation cancer-related pain
IRAS ID
325061
Contact name
Sheila Black
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Cancer is currently a leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, due to advances in medicine and modern technology, cancer can be detected at an early stage and the number of cancer survivors is rising. Although these survivors may be cancer-free, many have poor outcomes due to syndromes that are a consequence of their cancer treatment. One such syndrome is chronic neuropathic pain which can have profound negative effects on aspects of everyday life and does not always respond to conventional pharmacologic therapy. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a minimally invasive, therapeutic option for managing cancer-related pain. This involves implanting a device that delivers mild electrical signals to the spinal cord to reduce pain. This pilot study will assess the effects of SCS in patients with post-chemotherapy and post-radiation cancer-related pain.
Up to 10 patients with post-chemotherapy and post-radiation cancer-related pain will be recruited to participate in this study. They will attend an initial visit before they have the device implanted and they will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires and have their heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and nerve activity recorded. These recordings are important because they will provide information about how the body reacts with SCS. Participants will then attend the hospital after 3, 6 and 12 months of having the SCS implanted where the same measures will be recorded along with a further two questionnaires.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
23/NS/0104
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion