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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

SPENDD: Quantitative Sensory Testing and Analgesic Response for Painful Peripheral Neuropathy.

Sensory Phenotyping to Enhance Neuropathic Pain Drug Development (SPENDD): A Randomized, Double-blinded Cross-over Clinical Trial Aimed at Investigating Whether Bedside Quantitative Sensory Testing Can Predict Response to Analgesics.

SPENDD: Quantitative Sensory Testing and Analgesic Response for Painful Peripheral Neuropathy. (NCT06614322) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Painful Peripheral Neuropathy and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPN), sponsored by University of Rochester. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether quantitative sensory testing (QST) can be used to classify participants into pain sub-groups and predict who will respond best to certain pain treatments in participants with painful peripheral neuropathy. The analgesic effect is evaluated by measuring pain intensity and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). This study is a 3-period cross-over trial. This means researchers will compare 3 different drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, and placebo) over a period of 19 weeks. Participants will: * Undergo a quantitative sensory testing (QST) exam. * Provide a blood sample. * Complete questionnaires on the computer. * Take the study drug as instructed.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Painful Peripheral Neuropathy and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 190 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Painful Peripheral Neuropathy subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

5\. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA Who May Qualify: Patients eligible for inclusion in this study must fulfill all of the following criteria: 1. Between 18 and 80 years old (inclusive). 2. Have a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathic pain in both feet from generalized distal sensory polyneuropathy based on the following criteria 1. A history of a relevant lesion of the peripheral nervous system, disease, toxic exposure, or no known cause (i.e., idiopathic). 2. Pain distribution in a neuroanatomically plausible distribution consistent with a symmetrical generalized polyneuropathy (i.e., with a "glove and stocking" distal to proximal gradient). 3. DN4 score≥ 4 3. Have experienced the neuropathic pain in the feet for at least 6 months. 4. Have at least one of the following sensory signs upon clinical examination: abnormal pinprick perception, allodynia, hyperalgesia, abnormal light touch perception, abnormal vibratory perception, or abnormal proprioception. 5. Have average daily baseline worst pain intensity in their feet of 4 or greater and less than 10, on a 0-10 numeric rating scale of pain intensity (0 = "no pain," 10= "most intense pain imaginable") as measured on the daily diary during screening from at least 5 measurements. 6. Able to understand and read English. This requirement is to ensure that participants can provide willing to sign a consent form and complete PROs. 7. Have been on stable dosages of all pain medications or using all non-pharmacologic treatments for neuropathy pain at consistent frequency for at least 1 month and willing and able to stay on those dosages (or use those frequencies) (except acetaminophen rescue) throughout the duration of the study. 8. If taking cannabinoid products for any reason, must be at stable dosages for at least 1 month prior to the screening visit and willing to stay on that dosage for the duration of the study. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
5\. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA Inclusion Criteria: Patients eligible for inclusion in this study must fulfill all of the following criteria: 1. Between 18 and 80 years old (inclusive). 2. Have a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathic pain in both feet from generalized distal sensory polyneuropathy based on the following criteria 1. A history of a relevant lesion of the peripheral nervous system, disease, toxic exposure, or no known cause (i.e., idiopathic). 2. Pain distribution in a neuroanatomically plausible distribution consistent with a symmetrical generalized polyneuropathy (i.e., with a "glove and stocking" distal to proximal gradient). 3. DN4 score≥ 4 3. Have experienced the neuropathic pain in the feet for at least 6 months. 4. Have at least one of the following sensory signs upon clinical examination: abnormal pinprick perception, allodynia, hyperalgesia, abnormal light touch perception, abnormal vibratory perception, or abnormal proprioception. 5. Have average daily baseline worst pain intensity in their feet of 4 or greater and less than 10, on a 0-10 numeric rating scale of pain intensity (0 = "no pain," 10= "most intense pain imaginable") as measured on the daily diary during screening from at least 5 measurements. 6. Able to understand and read English. This requirement is to ensure that participants can provide informed consent and complete PROs. 7. Have been on stable dosages of all pain medications or using all non-pharmacologic treatments for neuropathy pain at consistent frequency for at least 1 month and willing and able to stay on those dosages (or use those frequencies) (except acetaminophen rescue) throughout the duration of the study. 8. If taking cannabinoid products for any reason, must be at stable dosages for at least 1 month prior to the screening visit and willing to stay on that dosage for the duration of the study. 9. Willing and able to complete electronic patient-reported outcomes at home using a REDCap link. Exclusion Criteria: * Exclusion criteria 10, 13, 14, 20 pertain only to trial protocols that include duloxetine. * Exclusion criterion 11, 19 pertain only to trial protocols that include pregabalin. 1. Taking any opioid medication with a daily mean morphine equivalent (MME) of \> 30. 2. Have a different diagnosis of pain in the feet including but not limited to musculoskeletal pain (e.g., foot arthritis, plantar fasciitis) or lumbar sacral radiculopathy that they rate to be worse than their neuropathic pain in their feet, or that in the opinion of the investigator, precludes the participant from rating their neuropathy pain in their feet. 3. Have a central cause of neuropathic pain (e.g., demyelinating disease, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease). 4. Have a history of an inciting traumatic or surgical cause that corresponds with the development of features consistent with a peripheral neuropathy. 5. Bilateral polyradiculopathy, with a distal distribution (i.e., symptoms extending into the feet). 6. History of acute polyneuropathy (e.g., Guillain-Barre Syndrome, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy \[AMSAN\]) within 6 months prior to Visit 1. 7. Have autoimmune-mediated neuropathy (e.g., RA, lupus, Sjogren syndrome, Lyme disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)) unless the associated inflammation is controlled and, in the opinion of the investigator, is expected to remain stable throughout the course of the study. 8. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in which nociceptive pain from joint deformity confounds assessment of neuropathic pain. 9. Have taken the treatment that caused the participant's neuropathy (e.g., neurotoxic chemotherapy, certain HIV therapies) less than 6 months prior to Visit 1. 10. Have taken duloxetine (at least 60mg/day) in the past 6 months or have taken duloxetine at any dosage within a week prior to the screening visit.\*\* 11. Have taken pregabalin (at least 300mg/day) OR gabapentin (at least 1200mg/day) in the past 6 months or have taken pregabalin or gabapentin at any dosage within a week prior to the screening visit.## 12. Have ever previously taken BOTH pregabalin (or gabapentin) AND duloxetine at sufficient dosages and for a sufficient length of time that, in the opinion of the investigator, the participant should have experienced pain relief if they were going to respond, but they did not receive benefit from EITHER drug. 13. Taking venlafaxine, buproprion, tramadol, or St. John's Wort. Concomitant use of one medication that inhibits the reuptake of serotonin is allowed at certain dosages. (See Appendix A for maximum allowed dosages for common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs); maximum dosages for other applicable drugs will be decided by the research team leadership composed of a) clinical pharmacist with extensive experience in chronic pain management, b) a physician board-certified in pain medicine and psychiatry, and c) a board-certified neurologist.\*\* 14. Taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.\*\* 15. Taking CYP1A2 inhibitors or thioridazine. 16. Have a spinal cord stimulator. 17. Have an active, uncontrolled/unstable medical condition (e.g., neurological, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, endocrine, hematological, genitourinary, cancer, or other major disorder), psychotic disorder or any other uncontrolled psychiatric illness that in the opinion of the investigator makes it unsafe to participate or inclusion of the participant will have a negative effect on the study. 18. Had a clinically significant illness or operative procedure within four weeks of screening. 19. Known hypersensitivity to pregabalin. ## 20. Known hypersensitivity to duloxetine.\*\* 21. Known history of chronic kidney disease that in the opinion of the investigator would make it unsafe to participate. 22. Known history of chronic liver disease that in the opinion of the investigator would make it unsafe to participate. 23. Excessive consumption of alcohol (i.e., more than 5 drinks / day for males and more than 4 drinks / day for females). 24. A history of illicit drug use in the past year or planning to take any illicit drugs during the course of the study (other than cannabinoid products). 25. Patients who are at significant risk of suicide, or are a danger to self or others, in the opinion of the investigator, based upon clinical interview and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) at screening and baseline. Affirmative answer to suicidal ideation questions 4 or 5, within the last 6 months and / or suicidal behavior (actual attempt, interrupted attempt, aborted attempt, and/or preparatory acts/behavior) within the last 2 years are exclusionary. 26. Evidence of cognitive impairment including dementia or a psychiatric condition (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) that may interfere with the subject's ability to complete assessments. 27. Amputation of lower limbs (foot, ankle, leg, or thigh). Isolated toe amputations are permitted. 28. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period or breastfeeding (screened via self-report). 29. Enrolled in another investigational medication trial or a trial of any intervention for pain in your feet. 30. Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent. 31. Any additional reason that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would make it unsafe to participate or inclusion of the participant would hurt the study.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Pregabalin

300mg/day pregabalin capsule

DRUG

Duloxetine

60mg/day duloxetine capsule

OTHER

Placebo

Placebo capsule

Locations (7)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for Autonomic and Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York, United States
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, United States
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont, United States
VCU Medical Center
Richmond, Virginia, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06614322), the sponsor (University of Rochester), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06614322 clinical trial studying?

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether quantitative sensory testing (QST) can be used to classify participants into pain sub-groups and predict who will respond best to certain pain treatments in participants with painful peripheral neuropathy. The analgesic effect is evaluated by measuring pain intensity and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). This study is a 3-period cross-over trial. This means researchers will compare 3 different drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, and placebo) over a period of 19 weeks. Participants will: * Undergo a quantitative sensory testing (Q… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06614322?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06614322?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06614322. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06614322. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.