Home based EEG Neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Home-based EEG neurofeedback to reduce chronic neuropathic pain, a cohort clinical trial.
IRAS ID
310674
Contact name
Mohamed Sakel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
In order to address the growing problem of chronic pain management in the UK, a proof of concept/feasibility open label cohort study has been devised to explore the effectiveness of a home-based self-administered non-pharmacological treatment utilising neurofeedback training with a headset and tablet-based software application. This study will replicate the intervention from a previous clinical trial conducted in the UK during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020/21 (NCT04418362) and extend it by examining EEG activity before, during, and after the intervention, alongside outcome measures, including changes in pain intensity and severity, sleep, mood and quality of life.
Ten participants will take part in pre-intervention assessments followed by four weeks of EEG baseline readings (5 times per week for 5 minutes), eight weeks of NFB treatment (5 times per week for 40 mins), and 12 weeks of post treatment EEG baselines readings (5 times per week for 5 minutes). Participants will be provided with training and detailed instructions on how to self-administer the NFB treatment using a bespoke headset and tablet-based software application in the comfort of their own homes.
Assessments will be conducted at Week 0 (pre-intervention), Week 4 (pre-NFB treatment), Week 12 (post NFB treatment) and at follow up points (Week 16, 20, and 24). It is anticipated this study will provide evidence of the safety, efficacy, reliability and validity of a low-cost non-pharmacological solution to the physical, psychological and social difficulties experienced by individuals with chronic pain conducted within the NHS health system, alongside novel evidence of how brain changes in a homogenous cohort correlate with NFB treatment and outcome measures, thus paving the way for a larger multi-site NHS trial with a heterogenous chronic pain population.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0523
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion