Supraspinal Processing of Sensory Aspects of Pain
Who can join
As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.
- Age
- 10 Years to 17 Years
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Compensation
- Not stated
Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.
What to expect
No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.
What participation involves
- Time periods mentioned: 1 year
- Procedures mentioned: MRI scans
Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.
Show the study's own words
- "For this study participants will undergo: * Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) * Quantitative Sensory Testing * Psychological Assessments"
- "The study will follow all participants longitudinally for 1 year after initiation of treatment to assess the degree of recovery and spread of pain."
- Compensation
- Not stated
- Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
- Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
- Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
- Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.
About this study
In plain language
This study looks at how the brain handles long-term pain in children ages 10–17. It aims to learn why pain spreads and what may predict recovery. Participants will have brain scans called fMRI, tests of how they feel sensations, and assessments of thoughts and feelings.
The goal of this basic science study is to learn about the brain mechanisms of chronic pain across different chronic pain syndromes in pediatric patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are there shared and distinct brain systems engaged by different forms of pediatric chronic pain? * What are predictors of recovery from chronic pain? * What brain systems are associated with the spread of pain? For this study participants will undergo: * Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) * Quantitative Sensory Testing * Psychological Assessments
Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.
Eligibility
Who can join
- Age 10–17.
- Have a diagnosis of long-term pain that meets the study’s rules: headaches, belly pain, pain in one limb or joint, back or chest pain, widespread muscle or joint pain, or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
- If taking prescribed pain or mental health medicines, have no dose changes for 4 weeks before the first study visit.
- Speak English and be able to complete interviews and forms in English.
Who can't join
- Body size or weight that does not fit the MRI scanner’s limits.
- Braces, metal objects, or electronic devices in the body that could affect the MRI images or make the scan unsafe.
- Fear of small, closed spaces.
- Pregnant.
- Have a rheumatic disease (a condition affecting joints or nearby tissues), epilepsy, another brain or nerve disease, or a medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Have a mental health condition, alcohol or drug dependence, or a developmental condition that the study doctor thinks would make participation unsafe or make study rules hard to follow.
- Skin problems or past skin damage on the arms or legs near where sensation tests will be done.
- Have used opioid pain medicines for more than 1 month.
Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.
Official eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients will need a diagnosis of a chronic pain derived congruent with ICD-11 criteria related to headache (migraine, daily headache), abdominal (FAPD), localized MSK (single limb/joint, low back or chest pain), diffuse MSK (widespread MSK pain), or CRPS * If on medications, they need to be on stable doses of prescribed pain and/or psychiatric medications for 4 weeks before the baseline study visit. * Male or female, age 10 -17 (inclusive) * English speaking, able to complete interviews and questionnaires in English Exclusion Criteria: * Weight/size incompatible with MRI scanner * Orthodontic braces, metallic or electronic implants, or other metal objects in the body which obscure or interfere with the MRI, or pose a risk from heating, movement, or malfunction in the MRI environment * Claustrophobia * Youth who are pregnant * Any comorbid rheumatic disease, diagnosis of epilepsy, other neurological diseases, or medical condition (e.g. diabetes, cancer, IBD) * Present psychiatric disease as defined by DSM IV (e.g. psychosis, bipolar disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder), alcohol or drug dependence, or documented developmental delays or impairments (e.g., autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, or mental retardation) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements or safe participation in the study * Skin conditions or past skin damage on the arms or legs in or near sites of sensory testing * Outside the age range (9 years old or younger; 18 years or older) at the time of consent * History of \> 1 month opioid treatment.
Study sites (1)
OH
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital · Cincinnati, OH 45229Catherine Jackson, MSc · Study contact · 513-636-0669 · Catherine.Jackson@cchmc.orgHannah Schildmeyer, BS · Study contact · Hannah.Schildmeyer@cchmc.orgRobert Coghill, PhD · Principal investigatorMore trials in Cincinnati