Pain, Chronic Clinical Trials

Evaluation of neuroplasticity of pain pathways and corneal afferent nerve regeneration following corneal crosslinking (CXL) in keratoconus patients using fMRI and corneal In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM). Read Less

This study will investigate effects of a psychoeducation pain management skills intervention on adults with persistent pain by training a cohort of American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) nurses to deliver and it [Empowered Relief (ER)], as a single-session video-conferenced program. The primary objective is to evaluate the effects of ASPMN nurse-provided ER versus waitlist control (WLC) on pain catastrophizing, pain bothersomeness, pain intensity, pain interference, sleep disturbance, physical function, depression, anxiety, and social isolation for patients with persistent pain. Secondarily, feasibility and acceptability of the ER program will be assessed through recruitment and retention data and qualitative satisfaction data. Read Less

This study will evaluate the Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit (PICT), a multicomponent intervention for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). PICT provides training in observational pain assessment and coaching in effective pain communication techniques. It will recruit participants from programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE). The investigators hypothesize that PICT will help caregivers to recognize and communicate about pain in their care recipients. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about resilience coaching in adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The main questions it aims to answer are to 1) determine how helpful resilience coaching is for teens with chronic musculoskeletal pain, 2) which participants are best suited for resilience coaching, and 3) barriers and facilitators to implementing resilience coaching as part of routine clinical care. Participants will complete survey measures and participate in the resilience coaching intervention called Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM). Researchers will compare youth in PRISM to those receiving usual care to determine whether PRISM leads to greater improvements in functional disability, psychological distress, and pain intensity than usual care alone. Read Less

In the proposed trial, the investigators plan to refine interventions, then conduct a small randomized trial to provide critical information to inform a future large-scale randomized efficacy trial of Tai Chi for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. Building on the combined experience the proposed study will progress in new directions to: Adapt, refine, and standardize two 12-week treatment protocols (Tai Chi and a Wellness control condition) for Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and chronic musculoskeletal pain during Phase One. Tai Chi and Wellness interventions will be adapted for delivery via a videoconferencing platform for the population and piloted in a 'dry run'. Determine the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely delivered randomized trial of these two interventions and the assessment protocols during Phase Two. Utilize information from this trial to plan and design a large randomized control study evaluating the efficacy of Tai Chi compared to Wellness for improving outcomes for Veterans with PTSD and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Read Less

To identify biological and phenotypic prognostic markers of recovery vs. persistence of pain and functional disability in adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Read Less

During breast surgery, sensory nerves are cut which may lead to reduced sensation and pain. Surgical reinnervation techniques have been developed with the aim of improving postoperative sensation by preserving the nerves and connecting them to the nipple and areola. The investigators aim to compare postoperative sensation and patient reported outcomes in patients undergoing reinnervation versus those not undergoing reinnervation to determine if there is a difference. The investigators will investigate this in patients undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy, implant-based breast reconstruction and autologous breast reconstruction. The investigators will use various tools that measure sensation quantitatively. Read Less

Building upon existing evidence on loneliness and pain research, conversational voice assistant (CVA)technology and personalized persuasion, we have assembled an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional team of researchers to conduct a 12-week randomized control pilot with older adults that live alone and self-report pain. Participants will interact with a standard or a personally enhanced loneliness routine delivered through a CVA. We will explore intervention feasibility and examine the efficacy of both standard and personalized interventions on loneliness and secondary outcomes. Inclusion: 1) men and women 60 years of age; 2) live alone (single-family home, independent, or assisted living); 3) self-report have experienced or currently experiencing musculoskeletal pain; and 4) wireless internet access via a broadband Internet connection. Exclusion: 1) memory loss as evidenced by poor performance on the Mini Cog; 2) inability to speak English; 3) prior study participation; 4) prior use or current use of a conversational voice assistant; and 5) not willing to engage with the voice assistant. Our proposed study is comprised of 1) a one week pre-study session for participant equipment set-up, training, and baseline pre- study data collection; 2) a 12-week randomized trial of the standard or the enhanced CVA delivered interventions; and 3) a one-week post-study data collection. Read Less

The goal Aim 1 of this investigation is to characterize the diagnosis of chronic pain in torture survivors. The investigators hypothesize that using a validated pain screen to supplement the existing United Nations Istanbul Protocol can improve the ability to detect pain from 15% to 90% in this study population. Investigators will test this hypothesis by conducting a prospective, blind comparison to gold standard study. The goal of Aim 2 is to evaluate the acceptability of somatic pain treatment using qualitative interviews of torture survivors. The goal of Aim 3 is to assess the feasibility of recruiting and retaining participants in a digital pain program over six months. Read Less

Chronic pain and depression or low mood are often experience by women who age with or into disabilities. Due to various factors women with disabilities often experience this cycle of pain and depression. Both of these conditions can be debilitating and lead to declines in health. Treating these conditions simultaneously, particularly , in older adults can be complicated due to side effects, risks of poor access to pain management and mental health care , and complications from other co occuring conditions. In order to address this cycle in older women with disabilities the investigators are testing the Women in Pain Reduction through Improved Mood and Empowerment (PRIME) study. The PRIME intervention includes four in person visits by a nurse to the women's homes where the participants set goals regarding pain and depression and the nurse helps the participants strategize ways to meet these goals. The second component of the study will be eight group sessions virtually with other participants in the study. The group sessions will be led by a clinical psychologist who will engage in Acceptance Commitment Therapy with the women. Read Less

This study examines the relationship between central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms of pain inhibition and the pain relief that occurs following a lumbar medial branch block (MBB). Read Less

Persistent pain is a public health epidemic. The current protocol seeks to develop technology to aid patients' tracking of patients' pain, medications and pain-related variables. The investigators seek to talk with patients in co-investigator's clinic to solicit feedback, as well as pilot test the technology with pain patients. Read Less