Pain Clinical Trials in Boston, MA

The investigators will conduct a 12,500-patient randomized multi-center trial to determine (i) which general anesthesia technique yields superior patient recovery experiences in any of three surgical categories ((a) major inpatient surgery, (b) minor inpatient surgery, (c) outpatient surgery) and (ii) whether TIVA confers no more than a small (0.2 %) increased risk of intraoperative awareness than INVA in patients undergoing both outpatient and inpatient surgeries Read Less

Chronic pain and heavy drinking are common co-occurring conditions among patients presenting to primary care settings. Given their impact on functioning and medical outcomes, there would be considerable benefit to developing an accessible, easily utilized, integrative approach to reduce alcohol use and pain that can be readily incorporated into the health care settings. The objective of this study is to test a modified version of a smartphone-based intervention for reducing pain and alcohol use among individuals experiencing chronic pain who engage in heavy drinking. The primary goal is to test the feasibility and acceptability of implementing this intervention in a sample that includes participants from rural areas and providing initial data on the utility of the intervention. Read Less

The goal of this study is to determine if a mind-body intervention can help people suffering from chronic back pain. The study is a randomized, partially blinded trial examining the effectiveness of a mind body intervention in reducing disability from back pain and alleviating back pain in participants as compared to usual care and an active control (second mind body intervention). The investigators will secondarily investigate whether the intervention alleviates anxiety related to the pain and other quality of life parameters. Read Less

In this research study, we want to learn more about the impact of two different local anesthetics (bupivacaine and lidocaine) on patient experience following orthognathic (jaw) surgery. Both anesthetics are within the standard of care for dental and orthognathic procedures, but can vary in how quickly they take action and how long they last. This study will provide us with a greater understanding of how anesthetic choice affect patient outcomes, and how we can strive to make these outcomes as favorable as possible. Read Less

This pilot study evaluates the tolerability and feasibility of the Axoguard Large-Diameter Nerve Cap (sizes 5-7 mm) for protecting and preserving terminated nerve endings after limb trauma or amputation when immediate attention to the nerve injuries is not possible. Read Less

The goal of this observational study is to learn about how regional anesthesia (numbing medication) affects pain in patients with different psychosocial phenotypes such as different levels of concern about pain, sleep issues, and anxiety, who are having surgery. The main questions are: 1. Do psychosocial factors such as concerns about pain, sleep, anxiety affect the effectiveness of regional anesthesia? 2. Do psychosocial factors and regional anesthesia affect the amount of opioids used after surgery? 3. Do psychosocial factors and regional anesthesia affect development of chronic postsurgical pain? Read Less

The current project will (1) enhance our understanding of the neurobiology of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP); (2) provide a metric to follow patients with CPSP in the clinic; (3) provide a metric for those who will chronify; and (4) understand the age-related differences in CPSP. Ultimately, an improved comprehension of mechanisms linked to CPSP will provide finer tools for optimizing the selection of treatments for individual patients. Moreover, data that demonstrates the underlying pathobiological pain mechanism(s) active in CPSP, particularly those non-responsive to current therapies, may be used to validate novel strategies both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Read Less

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also called Bladder Pain syndrome (BPS), or chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CPPS) is a common condition with no known cause or cure. Twin studies and family accounts have suggested that the condition may be genetic or passed down (inherited) from one generation to another. In this study, we are collecting genetic material and medical information from families in North America in an attempt to identify genetic factors that may cause IC/BPS/CPPS. We are enrolling families and individuals with IC/BPS/CPPS and their family members (both family members with and without IC like symptoms). Read Less

This is a 2-part, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Phase 2 study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of RTA 901 in qualified participants with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPNP). Each study part will be randomized into 3 treatment arms; 2 different doses of RTA 901 and RTA 901-maching placebo. The doses of RTA 901 in Part 2 will be selected based on the Exposure-Response (E-R) analyses of data from Part 1. A total of 384 participants will be randomized in this study. Each part will have 192 participants, with 64 participants randomized 1:1:1 to each treatment arm. The duration of each part of the study will be approximately 20 weeks, including a Screening period of up to 2 weeks, a Run-in-period of 2 weeks, a Treatment period of 12 weeks, and a Follow-up period of 4 weeks. All participants in Part 1 and Part 2 of the study will follow the same visit and assessment schedule. Eligibility will be assessed during the Screening and Run-in-periods. Read Less

This is an observational study that is intended to determine the capacity of three technologies to serve as diagnostic biomarkers for myofascial pain syndrome. Investigators will seek patients with myofasical pain syndrome as well as healthy subjects for this study. Electrical impedance myography (EIM), myofiber threshold tracking (TT) excitability testing, and ultrasound with shear wave elastography (SWE) measurements will be obtained from the trapezius muscle (the muscle that extends over the back of the neck and shoulders). These measurements will be repeated within 2-5 days to assess repeatability of these methods. Read Less

The study is being conducted to learn why some patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) do not respond to a commonly used treatment drug, Finasteride. The hope is to find ways to predict which patients will not respond to Finasteride so that, in the future, these patients can be identified prior to offering this treatment and they can be offered alternative treatment strategies in its place. The aim is to see if noninvasive techniques such as MRI can detect inflammation of the prostate to assist with early detection of those who will and who will not respond to Finasteride. Read Less

This is a NIAMS-sponsored clinical trial being conducted through the NIH Helping to End Addition Long-term (HEAL) Initiative's Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program. This is a single-arm controlled trial with individuals aged 18-70 with low back pain (LBP). This study investigates the effect(s) of augmenting physical therapy (PT) interventions with the use of an experimental wearable soft robotic device ('exosuit'). Read Less