Detecting pain through electrodermal activity

Detection of Electrodermal Activity in Pain (DEEP)

NA · Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre · NCT06678217

This study tests if measuring skin responses can help us understand pain better in healthy people during a cold exposure, while also looking at how stress affects this response.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment37 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCopenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre (other)
Locations1 site (Hvidovre)
Trial IDNCT06678217 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the relationship between self-reported pain and electrodermal activity in healthy volunteers undergoing a cold pressor test. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one experiencing the cold pressor test alone and the other undergoing the test with an added mild stressor. The goal is to develop an algorithm that can detect pain-related changes in electrodermal activity and assess the impact of psychological factors on this response. Data will be collected through self-reported questionnaires and objective measures of electrodermal and cardiac activity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy Danish adults over the age of 18 without any current pain or chronic conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with ongoing pain, chronic illnesses, or psychological disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved methods for pain detection and management.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using electrodermal activity for pain detection is novel, similar studies have shown promise in related areas.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Danish
* Age over 18

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of current pain
* Current use of analgesic medication
* Persistent or recurrent pain that exists for longer than 3 months
* Blood circulation or cardiovascular disorders
* Hypertension
* A skin condition on the to-be-tested body parts
* Raynaud syndrome
* Substance abuse
* Pregnancy or lactation and
* A current diagnosis with psychological/ psychiatric disorders
* Diagnosed with chronic illness
* Symptoms of an infectious disease
* PHQ-9 reveals suicidal ideation

Where this trial is running

Hvidovre

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Healthy, Acute Pain, pain, electrodermal activity, pain detection, pain prediction, galvanic skin response, wearable

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.