Examining chronic pain improvement after weight loss surgery in specific ethnic groups

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate whether surgical weight loss can alleviate chronic widespread pain in adults who identify as Hispanic/Latino or non-Hispanic Black and have a higher BMI. Researchers will assess pain at rest and movement-evoked pain before and six months after bariatric surgery, alongside evaluating changes in pain processing and joint function. The study will involve two in-person visits and one remote visit for data collection, including pain surveys and health questionnaires. The central hypothesis is that pain will decrease post-surgery, potentially mediated by improved pain modulation and joint function.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Self-identify as Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino ethnicity based on the U.S Census racial categories
* Eligible candidates for bariatric surgery (BMI greater than or equal to 40 or BMI greater than or equal to 35 with comorbidity
* Meets criteria for chronic widespread pain (CWP) based on the following:

  1. self-reported pain at 3 or more anatomical sites
  2. painful regions on both sides of the body
  3. self-reported pain intensity at rest of 3 out of 10 or higher using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) or equivalent
* Conversational language fluency in English or Spanish
* Able to give voluntary, written informed consent to participate
* Able to walk independently or with a cane prior to study enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prospective participants with a previous history of bariatric surgery
* Have acute pain (pain for less than 6 weeks) at 1 month prior to study enrollment
* Have a systemic autoimmune disorder or immunodeficiency
* Have an unstable psychological condition
* Are non-ambulatory or ambulate with an assistive device other than a cane
* Pain localized to surgical sites at 3 months post-surgery

Where it's running

• NYU Steinhardt Arthur J. Nelson Laboratory
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting
• New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Hospital
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting
• NYU CTSI Clinical Research Center
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ericka N Merriwether, PT, DPT, PhD
• Email: em3766@nyu.edu
• Phone: 2129989192

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.