Researchers at the University of Birmingham are seeking participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who experience peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain in the feet and hands caused by diabetes) and have tried at least two types of nerve pain medication, for a study testing a new treatment for this diabetes complication.
While medications are available for treating nerve pain, they don’t work for everyone. The research team is investigating a new intervention called FREMS, which uses a nerve stimulation device that delivers unique, varying electrical pulses and could potentially offer longer and better pain relief.
The study involves an initial online health record check. You'll be asked to complete a 7-day pain diary, submitting daily scores by text message, followed by a clinic visit for a thorough examination.
Eligible participants will then be randomised to receive either FREMS or TENS treatment. The treatment consists of 10 sessions at the hospital over two weeks, each lasting about 40 minutes. TENS is a standard NHS treatment that provides short-term pain relief and uses the same device as FREMS, but with different electrical pulses.
You'll need to track your pain score in the diary for six months. Follow-ups will include questionnaires and medical checks at three and six months. And you'll be reimbursed for your travel for each visit.Â
For more information, please contact FREMS-PDPN@trials.bham.ac.uk or visit our online information tool: https://frems.digitrial.com.
