Understanding pain processing in adolescents with chronic pain conditions

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 how adolescents with chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) process pain differently compared to those with localized pain and healthy controls. It will assess spatial and temporal nociceptive filtering through quantitative sensory testing, blood draws, sleep assessments, and questionnaires. The study seeks to determine if disruptions in pain processing contribute to the development of COPCs and how these disruptions differ among various groups. By exploring these factors, the research hopes to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain in youth.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. General Criteria

   * Access to the internet either by laptop, tablet, or phone (for REDCap Surveys)
   * English-speaking
   * Parent or guardian willing to comply with protocol, complete study assessments, and provide written informed consent
2. Control Specific Criteria

   * No history/active chronic pain
3. Patient Specific Criteria

   * Patients will need a diagnosis of a chronic pain derived congruent with ICD-11 criteria related to headache (migraine, daily headache), abdominal (FAPD), localized MSK (single limb/joint, low back or chest pain), or diffuse MSK (widespread MSK pain)
   * If on medications, they need to be on stable doses of prescribed pain and/or psychiatric medications for 4 weeks before the baseline study visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. General Criteria

   * Skin conditions (e.g., eczema) or past skin damage on the arms and legs in or near sites of sensory testing
   * Any comorbid rheumatic disease (e.g., arthritis, lupus), neurological (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury) or medical condition (e.g., cancer, diabetes)
2. Control Specific Criteria

   * Taking medications that can alter pain sensitivity (e.g., NSAIDs, opioids, stimulants, anticonvulsants; psychiatric)
3. Patient Specific Criteria

   * Present psychiatric disease as defined by DSM IV (e.g. psychosis, bipolar disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder), alcohol or drug dependence, or documented developmental delays or impairments (e.g., autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, or mental retardation) that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements or safe participation in the study

Where it's running

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital
  Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Kacie Peters
• Email: Kacie.Peters@cchmc.org
• Phone: 513-517-0594

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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.