NCT05169047

Brief Summary

Given the substantial socioeconomic impact of Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) implantations and given that currently no direct high-quality evidence with a relevant outcome measurement is available to guide the treatment choice between subthreshold SCS versus best medical treatment in patients with Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type 2 (PSPS-T2), we here propose a scientifically well-constructed randomized controlled trial to answer this question. The primary scientific objective is to examine whether subthreshold SCS, compared to best medical treatment, provided to patients with PSPS-T2 results in a higher percentage of clinical holistic responders at 6 months. The secondary objective of the study is to examine if subthreshold SCS compared with BMT is having more efficacy in improving patients' individual competencies for self-management, increasing the likelihood to return to work, work status and healthcare expenditure, improving pain relief, obtaining pain medication reduction, decreasing anxiety and depression, increasing quality of life and decreasing disability.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
114

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
3mo left

Started Feb 2022

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

5 active sites

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress95%
Feb 2022Aug 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 29, 2021

Completed
24 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 23, 2021

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 7, 2022

Completed
4.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 1, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2026

Last Updated

October 7, 2025

Status Verified

October 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

4.5 years

First QC Date

November 29, 2021

Last Update Submit

October 1, 2025

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Clinical holistic responder status

    The clinical holistic responder status as a composite measure represents the global effect of a treatment, based on a combination of questionnaires.

    The change between the baseline screening and the evaluation at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months.

Secondary Outcomes (9)

  • Overall pain intensity with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    The change between the baseline screening and the evaluation at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months.

  • Pain medication use

    The change between the baseline screening and the evaluation at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months.

  • Functional disability

    The change between the baseline screening and the evaluation at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months.

  • Health related quality of life

    The change between the baseline screening and the evaluation at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months.

  • Patient global impression of change

    Evaluated at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months.

  • +4 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Best Medical Treatment

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Other: Best Medical Treatment

Subthreshold Spinal Cord Stimulation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Other: Subthreshold Spinal Cord Stimulation

Interventions

For each patient who is randomized to BMT, an optimal individual treatment plan will be developed by the treating physician.

Best Medical Treatment

SCS will be programmed at subthreshold stimulation.

Subthreshold Spinal Cord Stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type II (PSPS-T2)
  • Chronic pain as a result of PSPS-T2 that exists for at least 6 months with a pain intensity of at least 4/10 on the Numeric Rating Scale, refractory to conservative treatment.
  • PSPS-T2 patients eligible for subthreshold SCS
  • Age \> 18 years
  • Patient has been informed of the study procedures and has given written informed consent
  • Patient willing to comply with study protocol including attending the study visits

You may not qualify if:

  • Expected inability of patients to receive or properly operate the spinal cord stimulation system
  • Evidence of an active psychiatric disorder
  • Suffering from another chronic illness characterised by chronic generalized widespread pain (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, scleroderma).
  • Pregnancy

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (5)

Jessa Ziekenhuis

Hasselt, Belgium

Location

Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

Jette, 1090, Belgium

Location

Emmaüs, AZ Sint-Maarten

Mechelen, Belgium

Location

AZ Delta

Roeselare, Belgium

Location

AZ Turnhout

Turnhout, Belgium

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Goudman L, Putman K, Van Doorslaer L, Billot M, Roulaud M, Rigoard P; TRADITION consortium; Moens M. Proportion of clinical holistic responders in patients with persistent spinal pain syndrome type II treated by subthreshold spinal cord stimulation compared to best medical treatment: a study protocol for a multicentric randomised controlled trial (TRADITION). Trials. 2023 Feb 20;24(1):120. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07140-3.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Postoperative ComplicationsPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBack PainPainNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and Symptoms

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
principal investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 29, 2021

First Posted

December 23, 2021

Study Start

February 7, 2022

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Last Updated

October 7, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Locations