Sensation and chronic pain in children with cerebral palsy
Sensory Function and Chronic Pain in Cerebral Palsy
This project looks at how different types of touch and pain signals relate to ongoing pain in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296892 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will measure sensory responses in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy using tests that probe both large (touch, vibration) and small (pain, temperature) nerve fibers. Tests will combine objective sensory testing, clinical exams, and patient or caregiver reports to capture how sensation and pain differ between individuals. The team aims to identify measurable sensory patterns that explain why some people with CP develop long-term pain while others do not. Findings will be used to define patient subgroups that could benefit from different pain-management approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy who experience ongoing or recurrent pain, and who can participate in sensory testing or have a caregiver to help, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without cerebral palsy, adults outside the study age range, or those who cannot undergo sensory testing due to medical instability may not benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better ways to classify pain in cerebral palsy and to more targeted treatments and supports.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies have looked at touch and motor-related sensation in CP, but combining tests of large and small fiber function to link sensory profiles specifically to chronic pain in CP is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Symons, Frank J — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Symons, Frank J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.