A home-based self-directed EEG neurofeedback intervention for people with chronic neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (the StoPain Trial): description of the intervention

Abstract

Study design: Randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: The objective is to describe an electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback intervention that will be provided in a randomised controlled trial for people with neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI): the StoPain Trial. In this trial, participants in the treatment group will implement an EEG neurofeedback system as an analgesic intervention at home, while participants in the control group will continue with the treatments available to them in the community.

Setting: University-based study in Sydney, Australia.

Methods/results: This manuscript describes the rationale and components of the EEG neurofeedback intervention designed for individuals with SCI neuropathic pain and intended for home-based implementation. Our report is based on the criteria of the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist, and includes why the efficacy of EEG neurofeedback will be investigated, what will be provided, who will administer it, and how, where, when, and how much the EEG neurofeedback intervention will be administered.

Conclusions: This manuscript provides a detailed description of a complex intervention used in a randomised controlled trial. This description will facilitate the subsequent interpretation of the trial results and allow for the replication of the intervention in clinical practice and future trials.

Sponsorship: Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund (2020 Rare Cancers Rare Diseases and Unmet Needs Scheme: 2006020).