Clinical trial from the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation will use 'smart socks' to predict impact of spinal cord stimulation
As part of Mayfield's expanding research program, The Mayfield Education & Research Foundation is teaming up with a Cincinnati technology company to engage in a clinical trial to evaluate how a patient's gait may predict the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation for pain relief.
The goal is to determine whether gait – the way a person walks – can be a predictor of whether spinal cord stimulation will help relieve that patient's leg or back pain.
"Serving our patients means gathering all available data and technology, then designing treatment plans to get patients the care they need," said Dr. Marc Orlando, an interventional pain specialist at Mayfield Brain & Spine and principal investigator on the trial. "The truly innovative technology developed by Palarum may help us pinpoint the exact inflection points behind a patient's pain. If we have enough data to connect that to a patient's gait, we can get them relief more quickly and efficiently."
Mayfield neurosurgeon Dr. Tann Nichols is assisting with this trial, along with Dr. George Mandybur, co-investigator and former Mayfield neurosurgeon now at Lee Health in Florida. Mayfield physical therapist Luke Iding is a key contributor to the trial and works with patients directly to capture data from the "smart socks." Enrolled patients will visit Mayfield Physical Therapy at regular intervals during the course of their treatment, allowing investigators to evaluate the relationship between their gait and whether the SCS is relieving their pain.
Mayfield is the region's premier neurosurgical practice, with 21 neurosurgeons and five rehabilitation or interventional pain specialists. Founded in 2016, Palarum created the revolutionary PUP® smart sock that incorporates patented technologies woven into conductive fabric. The technology enables real-time monitoring to prevent patient falls and enhance physical therapy and rehabilitation. Trial investigators said the "smart sock" technology developed by Palarum would enable evidence-based clinical decisions that serve patients with elite-level care. Learn more Palarum.com.
Spinal cord stimulation is often used to relieve lower back pain, neuropathic pain and chronic pain, frequently to help patients after conservative therapies have failed and patients who would not benefit from additional surgery. The devices, about the size of a small cookie, are implanted in the spine and deliver electrical pulses to the spinal cord, masking pain signals before they reach the brain.
The Mayfield Education & Research Foundation works to advance the care of patients with brain and spine disorders through leading-edge education and research, drawing on the expertise of Mayfield Brain & Spine. Mayfield neurosurgeons have been active in clinical research for decades. By participating in new clinical trials, the independent neurosurgery practice and its researchers are trying to develop new therapies for patients, connect with other innovators and establish Greater Cincinnati as a destination for the highest level of neurosurgical care.
Mayfield has ramped up its research program in recent years, including expanded clinical trials, additional laboratory programs and more published research in scholarly publications. The resources from the Mayfield Education & Research Foundation to support research and education will keep Mayfield at the forefront of advanced neurosurgical care and help fulfill our historic commitments to our patients and community.
Contact:
Sonia Lipp
Director of Research Services
Mayfield Education & Research Foundation
Phone: 513-569-5277
slipp@mayfieldclinic.com
Cliff Peale, Senior Writer/Media Relations Specialist
cpeale@mayfieldclinic.com
Office: 513-569-5236
Mobile: 513-544-1190