Pain Clinical Trials in Pittsburgh, PA

The goal of this observational study is to develop and validate a biomarker for lumbar myofascial pain (MP) based on ultrasound obtained measurements of the lumbar muscles and fascia. The investigators will use advanced machine learning approaches and validation in a randomized controlled trial. The main questions it aims to answer are: Will the deep learning-based marker reliably identify subjects from the 4 different groups: healthy, MP without trigger points, MP with latent trigger points, and MP with active trigger points? Will the deep learning-based marker accurately classify/predict the severity of MP in subjects with cLBP? Participants in the healthy group will be asked to do the following tasks: Consent/Enrollment Measure Height/Weight Complete Questionnaires on REDCap Participate in Ultrasound Imaging Experiment Sessions Participants in the chronic low back pain group will be asked to do the following tasks: Consent/Enrollment Complete Questionnaires on REDCap Measure Height/Weight Undergo a Standardized Clinical Exam Participate in Ultrasound Imaging Experiment Sessions Read Less

The purpose of this study is to compare the benefits of skills training and health education interventions designed specifically to increase the well-being of people with persistent pain after breast surgery for lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or invasive breast cancer, and to examine the roles of psychological and physiological variables as modifiable contributors to the continuing burden of persistent pain. Read Less

The investigators propose to conduct a dose-escalation trial of an FDA-approved antiepileptic drug, lacosamide, added to opioid therapy in patients with chronic abdominal pain from chronic pancreatitis (CP). This pilot trial will test the feasibility of the study design and provide reassurance regarding the tolerability and safety of lacosamide used concomitantly with opioids in this patient population to reduce the condition known clinically as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). Read Less

The study utilizes a 3-arm placebo-controlled RCT to study the effectiveness of ketamine in reducing chronic post-mastectomy pain. Participants randomized to the first arm will receive a 0.35 mg/kg dose after induction, followed by a 0.25 mg/kg/hr infusion during surgery (up to a maximum of 6 hours) and continued for 2 hours postoperatively. Participants in the second arm will receive a single dose of 0.6 mg/kg of ketamine in the post-anesthesia care unit, and the final group will serve as the control group and receive saline (no ketamine). 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

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of pain on long-term memory and conditioned physiologic responses in the presence and absence of distinct intravenous anesthetics. Functional magnetic resonance imaging will be used to identify the neural correlates of these phenomena The study will occur over 5 visits and involves no long-term follow up. Read Less

A multicenter, single-dose study in children 12 to <17 years of age, 6 to <12 years of age, and 2 to <6 years of age who are scheduled for elective open inguinal hernia repair. Enrollment in this study will start with the oldest age group (12 to <17 years) and will continue in a stepwise fashion until appropriate doses are established for all 3 pediatric age groups (12 to <17 years, 6 to <12 years, 2 to <6 years). Read Less