Diabetic Neuropathy Study

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Are you interested in participating in a diabetic neuropathy study?

We are looking for individuals between the ages of 20 -75 who are diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy. This study looks at the effects of brain stimulation on the symptoms of neuropathy in individuals living with diabetic neuropathy.

You will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires, nerve assessments, sensory assessments, blood flow test, and blood test. You will receive brain stimulation by Repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the motor areas of the brain.

For more information about this study, or to volunteer for this study, please contact

Jiyeon Park at parkj103@mcmaster.ca

This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance by the

Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HIREB) under project #17812.

Our Research

Our Questions

How can rTMS improve the symptoms of neuropathy?

Our Purpose

This research study will investigate the effects of 20-days rTMS on the symptoms of neuropathy. It will also look at how the brain reacts to rTMS after 20-days of intervention, exploring a new potential treatment option to manage diabetic neuropathy!

Why should you participate?

This study is among the first of it’s kind to study how rTMS can be used to improve the symptoms of neuropathy. Your participation can help us further study the effect of rTMS on the brain, to explore it as a potential treatment for diabetic neuropathy!

What Will Participation Look Like?

Your participation in our study can help us explore the potential of using rTMS as a treatment option to alleviate symptoms of neuropathy individuals living with diabetic neuropathy! Your role is simple:

1

Questionnaires,
Nerve Assessments,
Sensory Assessments,
Blood Flow Test
and Blood Test
(~2 hours)

2

20 sessions of rTMS
over 4 weeks
(30 mins each)

3

Repeat Step 1
(Post-intervention)

4

Wait 1 month

5

Questionnaires &
Sensory Assessments
(~1 hour)

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic Neuropathy is a condition in which individuals with chronically high blood sugar levels experience damage of nerves, often in the legs and feet.

The nerve signals from these damaged nerve endings is processed in the brain. We aim to stimulate brain cells using rTMS to see if it can help improve the symptoms of neuropathy.

What is rTMS?

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive technique used to stimulate certain brain cells from the outside. The rTMS works by generating a magnetic field through it’s coils, which induces an electric current stimulating certain brain cells.

In this study, rTMS will be used to record how the brain reacts to the symptoms of neuropathy over 4 weeks!