Active clinical trials for "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy"

To evaluate the effect of capsaicin in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

This study aims for a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This will be done by testing the quantitative sensory testing, the remote ischemic conditioning, the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and the analysis of the heart-rate variability in patients with CRPS and a control-group. We hypothesize decreased conditioned pain modulation, less effects of remote ischemic conditioning and an affection of the heart-rate variability in patients with CPRS.

In order to be able to study the effects of evoked fields with magnetoencephalography (MEG) in two groups of patients, comparison is made with a group of healthy volunteers.

The investigators will conduct a retrospective cohort study of patients who have undergone i.v. lidocaine infusions in the previous 2 years for suspected neuropathic pain of heterogeneous origin. The investigators hypothesize that the analgesic response to intravenous (i.v.) lidocaine will be bimodal with clear responders and clear non-responders. The investigators also hypothesize that more refractory patients, who have failed previous multimodal analgesic therapy, will be less likely to respond to i.v. lidocaine. The investigators goals are to report what percentage of patients will achieve relief, the degree of relief that can be expected, and identify the type of patients who will most likely to benefit from systemic lidocaine. The investigators secondary objective is to report the correlation between infusion rates and patterns of infusion rate adjustments with regard to efficacy and adverse effects.

In CRPS, perturbation of body image and pseudo-neglect syndrome of the body part affected are frequently found. Pain and sensory perturbation seems to modify the way patients perceived their body part affected. Does a local body image perturbation can affect the balanced of the global self-awareness?

The use of prophylactic treatment with vitamin c may prevent complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Recent clinical investigations have suggested that the cause of abnormal pain in complex regional pain syndrome could be ischemia and inflammation, due to poor blood flow to deep tissues from microvascular pathology. This study aims to determine if a new technology called near infrared spectroscopy can measure this microvascular dysfunction. The study hypothesizes that significant differences can be measured in the microcirculation of patients with CRPS-I using near infrared spectroscopy and the vascular occlusion test.

This research proposal aims to investigate the potential use of Infrared (FLIR) imaging to monitor the successful achievement of the sympathetic blockade in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

This study aims to compare the alternative current and the direct current signal changes of photoplethysmography between both feet during one side lumbar sympathetic block. The hypothesis is that signal changes occur earlier than other indices to decide whether it is successful following lumbar sympathetic block on only one-side.

This study will investigate differences among people with focal dystonia (FD), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and people who have both conditions to learn more about the cause of both disorders. Participants undergo the following procedures in five visits: Electroencephalography (EEG). Electrodes (metal discs) are placed on the scalp with an electrode cap, a paste or a glue-like substance. The spaces between the electrodes and the scalp are filled with a gel that conducts electrical activity. Brain waves are recorded while the subject lies quietly and sensory stimulation is applied to the thumb or finger. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of body tissues and organs. The patient lies on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner, wearing earplugs to muffle loud knocking and thumping sounds that occur during the scanning process. The procedure lasts about 45 minutes, during which time the patient will be asked to lie still for up to 15 minutes at a time. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). An insulated wire coil is placed on the scalp and a brief electrical current is passed through the coil. The current induces a magnetic field that stimulates the brain. There may be a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil and a twitch in muscles of the face, arm or leg. During the stimulation, subjects may be asked to keep their hands relaxed or to contract certain muscles. Peripheral electrical stimulation. In two experiments, TMS is combined with peripheral electrical stimulation, similar to what is used in nerve conduction studies, to the median nerve at the wrist. There may be muscle twitching. Surface electromyography. For TMS tests and peripheral electrical stimulation, electrodes are filled with a conductive gel and taped to the skin to record the electrical activity of three muscles on the right hand. Needle EMG. A needle is inserted into a muscle to record the electrical activity. Nerve conduction studies. A probe is placed on the skin to deliver a small electrical stimulus, and wires are taped to the skin record the nerve impulses. These studies measure the speed with which nerves conduct electrical impulses and the strength of the connection between the nerve and the muscles. Skin biopsy. Two sites are biopsied. A local anesthetic is given to numb the area and a 1/4-inch piece of skin is removed with a special tool. JVP domes. Subjects are tested for their ability to discriminate sensory stimuli in the affected region and on the other side of it. They are asked to discriminate between stamps with grooves of different widths that are applied to the hands or feet.