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Recruiting NCT06443281

NCT06443281 Pain Phenotyping in Patients With Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06443281
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor University of Zurich
Condition Spinal Cord Injuries
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment 300 participants
Start Date 2024-04-17
Primary Completion 2030-04-30

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 80 Years
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Interventions
NeurophysiologyCardiovascular testExperimental pain paradigms

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.

This trial targets 300 participants in total. It began in 2024-04-17 with a primary completion date of 2030-04-30.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The development of neuropathic pain is one of the most debilitating sequels after a spinal cord injury (SCI). The overall aim of this study is to investigate potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropathic pain after SCI. The functionality of the nociceptive pathway in humans as well as its plastic changes following SCI will be inferred with sophisticated sensory and pain phenotyping using quantitative sensory testing (i.e., psychophysical measures), objective neurophysiological measures of pain processing and the recording of pain-related autonomic responses (i.e., galvanic skin response, cardiovascular measures and pupil dilation). In addition, the interplay between the somatosensory and autonomic nervous system and its association with the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain after SCI will be investigated.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Spinal injury cohort - general inclusion criteria: * Aged between 18-80 years * Traumatic and non-traumatic etiology * Para- and tetraplegic SCI * Complete and incomplete SCI * SCI with and without neuropathic pain * Additional inclusion criteria for longitudinal study: * SCI since less than one month * Additional inclusion criteria for cross-sectional study: * SCI since more than one year * Control cohorts with peripheral neuropathy: * General inclusion criteria: * Aged between 18-80 years * Neurological disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system (i.e., peripheral neuropathy) * Peripheral neuropathy with or without neuropathic pain * Additional inclusion criteria for longitudinal study: * Peripheral neuropathy since less than one month * Additional inclusion criteria for cross-sectional study: * Peripheral neuropathy since more than one year * Control cohorts without neuropathy / healthy volunteers * General inclusion criteria: * Aged between 18-80 years * No medical condition affecting the peripheral and/or central nervous system (e.g., pain, systemic disease, psychological disorder) Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to follow study instructions * Pregnancy * Medically manifested psychological disorder * Medical condition affecting the peripheral and/or central nervous system other than the desired experimental condition (e.g., additional peripheral neuropathy in the SCI cohort)

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Michèle Hubli, PD Dr.

✉ michele.hubli@balgrist.ch

📞 +41 44 510 72 03

Principal Investigator

Patrick Freund, Prof. Dr. Dr.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University of Zurich

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06443281 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 80 Years, studying Spinal Cord Injuries. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT06443281 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06443281 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at michele.hubli@balgrist.ch for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06443281 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Zurich, Switzerland.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06443281 clinical trial?

NCT06443281 is sponsored by University of Zurich. The principal investigator is Patrick Freund, Prof. Dr. Dr. at University of Zurich. The trial plans to enroll 300 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: September 2026  ·  Data Methodology