Actively Recruiting
The Effect of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Brain Characteristics, Pain Intensity, and Cognitive Functions in Older People with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.
Led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Updated on 2025-01-15
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
118 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the effects of accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) on pain relief and cognitive function in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. It will also utilize magnetic resonance imaging to illustrate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the role of iTBS in improving various outcome indicators in this population. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation using accelerated iTBS effective for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain? 2. What are the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the role of iTBS in improving various outcome indicators in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain? Participants will: 1. Receive 1,200 stimuli during a single-session iTBS, totaling 14 days. 2. Undergo MRI scanning before, immediately after treatment, cognitive and pain-related tests before, immediately after treatment, and during follow-up.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Effect of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Brain Characteristics, Pain Intensity, and Cognitive Functions in Older People with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Normal cognitive function (Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment score 6)
- Right-handed
- Able to speak Cantonese
- Chronic nonspecific low back pain or both chronic nonspecific low back pain and chronic knee pain lasting at least 3 months
- Average pain intensity 5 out of 10 in the last 7 days
- Pain experienced on at least half of the days in the past 4 weeks
- At least 6 years of formal education and able to read and write Chinese
- Agree to sign informed consent and complete study tests
- Able to communicate via email or text message for electronic study measures
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to walk without assistance (canes or walkers allowed)
- Specific causes of chronic nonspecific low back pain or chronic knee pain (e.g., spinal stenosis, lumbar disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, recent vertebral fracture, spinal infection)
- Other musculoskeletal conditions at other body parts (e.g., fibromyalgia, neck pain)
- History of lumbar or lower extremity surgery
- History of neurological or psychiatric disorders (e.g., stroke, brain surgery, head trauma, schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder)
- History of cancer
- Specific inflammatory disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatica, scleroderma, lupus, polymyositis)
- Unexplained weight loss of 20 lbs or more in the past year
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Uncorrected visual deficit
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Taken alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines within 24 hours before the study
- Claustrophobia
- Contraindications for MRI based on safety screening at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
F
Fan Dr. Huang
CONTACT
Y
Yat Ching Miss Wong
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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