Active clinical trials for "Chronic Pain"

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate 1) the effects of high intensity training (HIT) compared to moderate intensity training (MIT) on diaphragm muscle strength, -endurance, -fatigue and -activation, 2) to which extent these changes in diaphragm functioning are related to changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, postural control, pain and disability after HIT versus MIT, 3) to which extent depressive mood and anxiety moderate the effects of HIT on diaphragm functioning in persons with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). The investigators hypothize that HIT improves diaphragm functioning more compared to MIT in persons with CNSLBP.

The investigators propose to conduct a dose-escalation trial of an FDA-approved antiepileptic drug, lacosamide, added to opioid therapy in patients with chronic abdominal pain from chronic pancreatitis (CP). This pilot trial will test the feasibility of the study design and provide reassurance regarding the tolerability and safety of lacosamide used concomitantly with opioids in this patient population to reduce the condition known clinically as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH).

This post market study is being conducted to document the comparative effectiveness and safety of peripheral nerve stimulation plus conventional medical management versus conventional medical management alone in the treatment of chronic, intractable peripheral neuralgia of post-traumatic or post-surgical origin. This is a prospective, minimal risk, multi-center, randomized control trial.

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Empowered Relief for Youth with chronic pain (ER-Y). ER-Y is a single-session pain management class for youth focused on pain science education and teaching self-regulatory skills for pain management based on the evidence-based adult ER class. Feasibility and acceptability of ER-Y will be assessed post-class. Preliminary efficacy will be assessed by administering surveys at baseline, 4-weeks, 8-weeks, and 12-weeks post class.

This study is being performed to compare the effects of three types of group-based psychological treatments delivered over video telehealth for chronic musculoskeletal pain in older U.S. military Veterans. The three types of psychological treatments are: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), and Mindfulness Meditation (MM). In addition, the investigators will evaluate which patients respond best to each treatment and how each treatment works. The investigators are performing the study because chronic pain is a big problem among Veterans. Older Veterans are the focus because they have the highest rates of chronic pain, perhaps as high has 80%. The investigators are looking at psychological treatments because they are less risky than medications or procedures for older Veterans. Telehealth is an important aspect of the proposal, as delivery over telehealth could improve access to treatments. CBT is endorsed nationally by VA, but no standardized MM is available through VA, and only a few VA sites use EAET, which is a newer treatment focusing on how stress and emotions affect pain. The project aims to evaluate a standardized form of MM and the newer treatment, EAET, compared to the standard CBT used widely in VA.

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a condition that is dominated by invalidating neuropathic pain. Pharmacological neuropathic pain treatment is often disappointing, since pain reduction is mostly slight and side effects can be debilitating. Although neuropathic pain is caused by a lesion of the somatosensory system, also psychological factors, such as fear and catastrophizing, appear to play a role in the origin and maintenance of disability in chronic pain. Rehabilitation based on pain education and cognitive behavioral treatment including elements of acceptance and commitment therapy, exposure in vivo or graded activity can be performed to influence these factors. To date no specific rehabilitation programs are available for patients diagnosed with SFN.

The promotion of neuroplasticity in conjunction with strategies for restructuring maladaptive cognitions that largely cause the activation of neural networks that contribute to the perpetuation of pain is therefore a fundamental neurophysiological principle for establishing a neurophysiological basis for pain. perpetuation of pain, is therefore a fundamental neurophysiological principle for establishing physiotherapy therapeutic to establish therapeutic strategies from physiotherapy that contribute to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic pain. Based on the theory that neurotrophic factors such as BDNF play a fundamental role in the initiation and or maintenance of hyperexcitability of central neurons in pain, we consider that the levels of this neurotrophic factor, such as BDNF, may have an important role in the perpetuation of pain. That the levels of this neurotrophic factor may be modified by the application of a therapeutic education protocol, favoring therapeutic education protocol, favoring a reduction in pain intensity.

The investigators plan to develop and pilot test an integrated, web-based cognitive behavioral approach and then conduct a randomized clinical trial evaluating its efficacy relative to standard care in a large and diverse sample of individuals with chronic pain treated with buprenorphine or methadone. The new program will retain key components of Dr. Carroll's computer-based training for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT4CBT), including its emphasis on teaching cognitive and behavioral coping skills in an engaging way and focus on the 5 A's of MAT (Adherence, Attendance, Abstinence, Alternate Activities and Accessing support); it will add components from Dr. Heapy's COPES (Cooperative Pain Education and Self-Management) intervention (self-management of chronic pain, with daily surveys via text that monitor pain intensity and interference, physical activity, and skills practice) and modify existing CBT4CBT modules to address the complex interplay between pain and drug use in this population, emphasizing the development of generalizable skills. A randomized clinical trial evaluating CBT4CBT-COPES will be conducted in a diverse sample 160 of individuals enrolled in agonist treatment (methadone or buprenorphine) who have chronic pain, in a 3-month randomized clinical trial with a 6-month follow-up, comparing it to standard treatment alone. The primary retention outcome will be adherence with agonist treatment; the primary pain outcome will be the PROMIS 6-item Pain Interference Short Form.

Background: There are over 500,000 survivors of childhood cancer in North America alone. One in four survivors experiences chronic pain after treatment has completed. Youth with chronic pain report increased anxiety, depression, activity limitations, and sleep disturbances. An 8-week web-based cognitive-behavioral treatment for chronic pain (WebMAP) has demonstrated reduction in the pain in children but has not yet been explored in survivors. The objectives of the current study are to (1) test the feasibility and acceptability of WebMAP for a sample of survivors with chronic pain and their parents, (2) assess the acceptability of WebMAP using qualitative interviews, (3) assess WebMAP's effect on activity limitations, pain intensity, depression and anxiety symptoms, and sleep disturbances, and (4) assess WebMAP's effect on parent pain catastrophizing and parental response to their child's pain. Methods: A single-arm mixed-methods pre-post intervention study design will be utilized. Participants will be 34 survivors and at least one of their parents/caregivers. Inclusion criteria are (1) cancer history (2) current age 11-17 years, (3) >2 years post-treatment or >5 years post-diagnosis, (4) pain present over prior 3 months impairing >1 area of daily life and occurring >1/month , (5) computer access with broadband internet. Survivors will complete a pre-treatment questionnaire, which will include: Child Activity Limitations Interview, the pain intensity Numerical Rating Scale, PROMIS - and Pain Interference, Anxiety, Depression, and Adolescent Sleep Wake Scale. Parents will complete the Pain Catastrophizing Scale - Parent Version and the Adult Responses to Child Symptoms. Upon completion of pre-treatment questionnaires (T0), survivors will begin WebMAP. After the 8 week intervention, survivors will complete the same measures (T1), and at 3 month follow-up (T2). Post-treatment interviews will be conducted to determine acceptability. Feasibility will be assessed via recruitment and retention rates. Treatment engagement will be measured by number of modules completed. Pre-post outcome data will be assessed using Linear Mixed Models. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Patient and caregiver partners will be involved in study design, recruitment, interpretation of results, and knowledge translation. Discussion: Investigating whether WebMAP is useful to survivors will be an important step in improving pain management in this population.

The Veteran population has been known to deal with co-morbid chronic pain and PTSD. As a result, they use healthcare services at a higher rate than those Veterans with pain or PTSD alone which leads to an amplified burden on healthcare systems. tDCS is a painless brain stimulation treatment that uses direct electrical currents (at a constant, low-intensity level) to stimulate specific parts of the brain and help modulate neuronal activity. This study hypothesizes that our short-term therapy-focused treatment program coupled with tDCS administrations will aid in the reduction of chronic pain and PTSD symptoms. Secondly, the investigators intend to examine any relationships between BDNF reduction in reported pain and PTSD and related mental health symptoms. Subjects will be identified from the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EHVP-IOP) Veterans and Service members seeking psychiatric treatment for mental health issues including PTSD.