Using remotely delivered Spring Forest Qigong™ to reduce neuropathic pain in adults with spinal cord injury: protocol of a quasi-experimental feasibility clinical trial

Ann Van de Winckel; Sydney Carpentier; Wei Deng; Lin Zhang; Ricardo Battaglino; Leslie Morse

doi:10.1186/s40814-023-01374-3

Using remotely delivered Spring Forest Qigong™ to reduce neuropathic pain in adults with spinal cord injury: protocol of a quasi-experimental feasibility clinical trial

Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2023 Aug 22;9(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01374-3.

Authors

Ann Van de Winckel¹, Sydney Carpentier², Wei Deng², Lin Zhang³, Ricardo Battaglino⁴, Leslie Morse⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Physical Therapy, Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE (MMC 388), Rm 311, Minneapolis, 55455, USA. [email protected].
² Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
³ Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

Abstract

Background: About 69% of Americans living with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from long-term debilitating neuropathic pain, interfering with the quality of daily life. Neuropathic pain is refractory to many available treatments-some carrying a risk for opioid addiction-highlighting an urgent need for new treatments. In this study, we will test our hypothesis that Spring Forest Qigong™ will reduce SCI-related neuropathic pain by improving body awareness. We will determine whether remotely delivered Qigong is feasible and we will collect data on neuropathic pain, and other reported associations with pain such as spasms frequency and/or severity, functional performance, mood, and body awareness.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental pilot clinical trial study, adults with SCI will practice Qigong at home with a 45-min video, at least 3 × /week for 12 weeks. The Qigong practice includes movements with guided breathing and is individualized based on functional abilities, i.e., the participants follow along with the Qigong movements to the level of their ability, with guided breathing, and perform kinesthetic imagery by focusing on the feeling in the whole body as if doing the whole-body Qigong movement while standing. The highest, average, and lowest neuropathic pain ratings perceived in the prior week will be recorded weekly until the 6-week follow-up. The other outcomes will be collected at 5 time points: at baseline, midway during the Qigong intervention (6 weeks), after the Qigong intervention (12 weeks), after a 6-week and 1-year follow-up. Rate parameters for the feasibility markers will be estimated based on the participants who achieved each benchmark.

Discussion: The University of Minnesota (UMN)'s Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the study (IRB #STUDY00011997). All participants will sign electronic informed consent on the secure UMN REDCap platform. The results will be presented at academic conferences and published in peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov registration number: NCT04917107 , (this protocol paper refers to the substudy), first registered 6/8/2021.

Keywords: Body awareness; Function; Neurological pain; Qigong; Spasms; Spinal cord injury.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04917107

Abstract

Associated data

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