Facemasks and Chronic Pain Patients With Hearing Loss
Hearing LossChronic PainFacemasks may impede communication. Impaired communication may worsen healthcare outcomes. This study explores the problem of hearing impairment in chronic pain patients, and the impact of facemasks on healthcare outcomes in chronic pain patients. Data collection includes patient's age, anxiety score, depression score, numeric pain score, and effects of facemasks on treatment outcomes. Pain is measured using numeric pain rating scale. Depression is measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale. Anxiety is measured using the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale.
RIVER At Home Ketamine Protocols
Chronic ConditionChronic Pain4 moreMultiple site studies with the recruitment of other sub-investigators and sites. It's sobering to consider how chronic illness makes us more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts and behavior. However, the existence of multiple risk factors also means that there are numerous ways to intervene. Addressing and improving even one risk area will reverberate and improve other areas and the quality of life. RIVER Foundation is completing a 500-participant pilot study researching the safety of oral and nasal ketamine at home with no therapy. The pilot study examined three psychological scales: P.H.Q. 9, G.A.D. 7, and PCL5 scores. The interim report will be available in Nov 2023 with a final report in June 2024. The lack of knowledge for the average medical practitioner makes ketamine a boutique medicine, often costly and unaffordable to those in need. Yet daily medical providers are eliminating ketamine as a choice in the treatment of chronic conditions. The pilot study demonstrated the who, and where. The who, was adults with a chronic condition. The pilot study demonstrated the majority of those who could use ketamine are not receiving it due to cost. According to the 500-participant study, ketamine is safe and effective for at-home use thus demonstrating the where (at home with no supervision).
RCT of a Weighted Blanket to Reduce Pain in Veterans With Chronic Pain
Chronic PainSleep DisturbanceChronic pain is a major health concern for returning Veterans and is associated with decreases in quality of life. In addition, chronic pain is often accompanied by significant disturbance in sleep. Sensory interventions may offer effective, low-cost complementary tools for chronic pain and sleep disturbance in Veterans. Weighted Blankets (WB)- blankets sewn with weighted material inside to provide widespread pressure to the body- are a low-cost wellness product used for anxiety and sleep. WBs have demonstrated large reductions in insomnia, and the investigators have also shown that they can reduce the severity of chronic pain. However, effects and mechanisms of longer WB use have not been examined in individuals with pain and sleep disturbance. The investigators therefore propose a randomized controlled trial examining the effects of WBs on pain and sleep quality in Veterans. the investigators will recruit Veterans with chronic pain and sleep disturbance from the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) and VA San Francisco Healthcare System (VASFHS) and randomize 160 Veterans to receive either a light (3-lb; N = 80) or heavy (15-lb; N = 80) blanket. The investigators will remotely collect measures of pain (primary), pain catastrophizing, and pain medication use, as well as sleep disturbance (primary) and sleep efficiency and total sleep time over 6 weeks of overnight home use of the assigned blanket. The investigators will also explore physiological effects of WBs on sleep quality using actigraphy (exploratory) in VASDHS participants. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods will be deployed via smartphone to capture study adherence.
Neuroimaging of Opioid Phase
Chronic PainOpioid UseThe purpose of this study is to compare activity in the brains of female adults with chronic pain and/or opioid use, and healthy female adults that may help to develop new and targeted treatments for adults with chronic pain and alternatives to opioid therapy.
Pain and Stress Detection and Relief in People With Dementia
DementiaChronic Pain1 moreThe objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of using the portable EEG headband and the headband-guided meditation practices for pain and stress relief in people with dementia in Hong Kong. Additionally, it explores the potential use of the headband as a biomarker for pain and stress in this target group.
Managing Chronic Tendon Pain by Metformin
TendinopathyChronic Pain1 moreThe purpose of the current exploratory clinical trial is to determine the effect of oral ingestion of metformin (OIM) in non-diabetic patients with chronic Achilles tendon pain. The trial has two aims; 1) to assess the effects of OIM treatment on tendon pain, and 2) to determine the effects of OIM capsules on tendon healing and repair. Twenty participants will be treated with metformin capsules for 16 weeks combined with a home exercise program. A comparison group of 20 participants will be treated with placebo tablets along with home exercise program.
Ketamine Treatment Plans for Chronic Conditions
Chronic PainDepressive Disorder2 moreA study aimed to assess the efficacy of the various approaches to prescribing Ketamine currently in use off-label. The focus will be to include ketamine within the study plan of those with chronic conditions who are receiving ketamine.
Cohort of Chronic Pain Patients
Chronic PainChronic pain affects approximately 20% of adults, 50% of the elderly population and over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Societal and economic issues are also crucial, as 60% of people with pain are less able or unable to work and 20% say they have lost their jobs because of pain. The overall cost of chronic pain is estimated at around 300 billion euros in the EU. Unfortunately, current treatments for chronic pain have limited effectiveness and important adverse effects. Pain clinics, which support the most complex and refractory cases of chronic pain, as well as general practitioners and patients expect improvements, both in terms of therapeutic efficacy and organization of care. In order to allow the characterization and a personalized follow-up of chronic pain patients, we have created e-DOL, a smartphone application for patients and a web platform for healthcare professionals in pain clinics. The purpose of this study is to create an e-cohort for the research, and characterization and follow-up of chronic pain patients.
VR Solace for Pain and Anxiety Using Survey and Biodata
Chronic PainThe purpose of this study is to assess the therapeutic response to VR Solace in patients with chronic pain and anxiety using real-time clinical and survey data. Regression analysis of demographic characteristics, lab and survey data will be conducted to better understand the efficacy of VR Solace in treating chronic pain and anxiety. The investigator also aims to explore the possible association between the patient-reported changes in pain or anxiety levels with real-time physiological changes observed during VR Solace use.
Duloxetine on Bone Metabolism
Chronic PainFibromyalgiaThe aim of the study was to determine the effect of duloxetine as monotherapy on biochemical markers and bone mineral density.