Exploring Pain Modulation With TMS and Repeated Pain Conditioning in Healthy Individuals

Enrolling by invitation · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Healthy Adult

In brief

Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is the behavioral measure of diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC), an endogenous pain inhibitory pathway in which pain inhibits pain. CPM is less efficient in individuals with chronic pain conditions, and it is a predictor for the development of chronic pain. Continuous stimulation of central/cortical mechanisms through engaging CPM might alter pain processing and improve pain inhibition. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a valuable tool for assessing how effectively the brain's central and cortical mechanisms engage in pain inhibition, particularly through pathways like CPM. While alterations in cortical excitability related to analgesic-induced pain inhibition have been documented, the effects of continuous stimulation of central pain pathways, along with the mediating influence of psychosocial factors, remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the central pain modulatory mechanisms, as assessed by CPM, and cortical excitability, as measured by TMS, in healthy participants. Additionally, the study will evaluate the impact of sociocultural factors, including ethnic identity, optimism, resilience, perceived stress, and marginalization, on the magnitude and efficiency of CPM responses. The successful completion of this research will determine how cortical excitability changes due to training and whether these changes are mediated by psychosocial factors.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06726018

Run by

Priyanka Rana, PT, MPT, PhD

People needed

75

Starts

2026-05-01

Expected to finish

2028-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-11

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• pain-free
• between 18-75 years old.

You may not qualify if…

• Participants will not be excluded based on race or gender but will be excluded if they meet any of the following:
• non-English speaking
• systemic medical condition is known to affect sensation
• regular use of prescription pain medication to manage pain
• current or history of chronic pain condition
• currently using blood thinning medication
• any blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia
• any contraindication to the application of ice or cold packs, such as uncontrolled hypertension, cold urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, and circulatory compromise
• involved in vigorous physical activities like heavy lifting, digging, aerobics or fast bicycling
• metal in the head or eyes, pacemakers, shunts, or lines, history of craniotomy, history of focal seizures
• Migraine and persistent headaches.

Where it is running

• Department of Physical Therapy and Movement Science, University of Texas at El Paso — El Paso, Texas, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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