Current Pain Research Studies
Active Protocols-Currently Recruiting Subjects
QST
“Pain
Response in Patients on Long Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain.”
IRB
Protocol 2003P-000110
The Center
is currently recruiting subjects for this IRB-approved study to compare
pain threshold and tolerance using quantitative sensory testing. You may qualify if your are:
- A chronic pain patient currently
on opioid therapy
This is a
research study exploring the effects of opioids on pain threshold and
tolerance. Research will be conducted at the
Massachusetts General
Hospital
Pain
Center
.
The study includes a standardized interview, an entirely non-invasive
examination, and quantitative sensory testing (QST). QST involves
electrical stimulation as well as application of various degrees of heat
and cold (in a range of 32 - 126° F).
Compensation will be provided.
For further information, please contact us at
617 724-6102 or toll-free at 1-888-No-2-Ouch
mghpainresearch@partners.org
KETAMINE
"Effect of Ketamine on Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia"
IRB
Protocol 2008P-000879
The Center is currently recruiting subjects for a study to develop a diagnostic tool to explain why narcotics do not always improve pain. The study has one to two visits for a total of 6 hours. Compensation will be provided.
The study consists of:
- An interview
- A physical exam
- Lab work (urine test)
- An FDA approved drug infusion
- Sensory Testing – a noninvasive test that involves hot and cold stimulation
We are recruiting people, ages 18-65, with chronic pain taking narcotic pain medication for the last 3 months
For further information, please contact us at
617 724-6102 or toll-free at 1-888-No-2-Ouch
mghpainresearch@partners.org
ACUPUNCTURE
"Evaluating the Effect of Acunpuncture on Pain Relief Using QST"
IRB
Protocol 2009P-001551
The Center is currently recruiting subjects for a study to find out if a new approach to measuring acupuncture therapy is
effective. We think one way to test how effective acupuncture therapy is, would be to test how a
person responds to heat and cold sensations before and after acupuncture therapy.
The study consists of a maximum of 7 visits for a total of approximately 13
hours.
We are recruiting people ages 18-65, who have had radiating neck or back pain for at least two months.
Radiating neck or back pain includes, but is not limited to, disk
herniation, spinal stenosis or post-laminectomy syndrome.
For further information, please contact us at
617 724-6102 or toll-free at 1-888-No-2-Ouch
mghpainresearch@partners.org
SCS
IRB Potocol 2010P-000425
The purpose of this study is to better understand how the Spinal Cord Stimulator works in
relieving chronic pain.
We are seeking subjects who have chronic pain and who already
have a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) in place.
For further information, please contact us at
617 724-6102 or toll-free at 1-888-No-2-Ouch
mghpainresearch@partners.org
PENNSAID
"Effect of Pennsaid on Clinical Neuropathic Pain"
IRB Potocol 2011P-000897
The Center is currently recruiting subjects for an IRB approved study to see if the drug Pennsaid (Diclofenac) can help reduce pain felt by
people with chronic nerve pain. The drug will be used 2-4 times each day for 2 weeks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pennsaid to treat osteoarthritis
(bone pain), but the FDA has not approved Pennsaid to treat neuropathic (nerve) pain.
The research study will compare Pennsaid to placebo.
You may qualify if you are 18-80 years old and have had a diagnosed nerve pain
condition for at least 3 months
The study consists of:
■ four study visits over 5 weeks;
■ three phone interviews;
■ keeping a pain diary and medication log;
■ completing questionnaires;
■ a urine test;
■ a physical exam;
■ temperature testing;
■ using a medicated study lotion.
For further information, please contact us at
617 724-6102 or toll-free at 1-888-No-2-Ouch
mghpainresearch@partners.org
RADICULAR PAIN
IRB Protocol 2011P-002234
"Somatosensory Profiling in Radicular Pain Patients and its Correlation With Treatment Outcome"
The Center is currently seeking people with pain in their legs originating from the spine. The study is looking at the pain sensation, threshold,
tolerance and the outcome of their treatment given by their own physicians.
The study consists of two visits; an interview, physical exam, lab work
(urine test) and temperature testing. The testing (Quantitative Sensory
Testing) is noninvasive (no needles) and involves heat and cold stimulation.
Estimated time of each visit is 2 hours. Compensation will be provided.
You may qualify if you are between the ages of 18-65 and:
Have pain in the legs, which is determined, by your physician, to originate from your spine and receiving treatment by your physician.
For further information, please contact us at
617 724-6102 or toll-free at 1-888-No-2-Ouch
mghpainresearch@partners.org
COMPLETED PROTOCOLS
ULTRAM ER
“Clinical
Management of Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia with Tramadol ER”
IRB
Protocol 2007P-000025
The
Center is no longer recruiting subjects for this IRB-approved study.
This was a
research study to see if Ultram ER, an FDA-approved pain medication, would
be helpful in providing pain relief in subjects whose chronic pain is not
well controlled on narcotic pain medicine. The study consisted of 6 visits
over 6 weeks. Study testing included: physical exam, urine testing,
questionnaires and non-invasive (no needles) nerve testing using cold/heat
sensations.
For
further information, please contact us at (617)
724-6102
Toll
Free: 1-888-NO- 2- OUCH
mghpainresearch@partners.org
RAMELTEON
“Clinical Management of Neuropathic Pain with Ramelteon”
IRB Protocol 2008-P-000988
The
Center is no longer recruiting subjects for this IRB-approved study.
This was an IRB-approved double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical study to examine the hypothesis that ramelteon would reduce pain scores and improve functional status in subjects with neuropathic pain.
For further information, please contact us at (617) 724-6102
Toll Free: 1-888-NO-2-OUCH
mghpainresearch@partners.org
Chart
Review Study
"Pain
Relief and Functional Improvement Following Opioid Therapy"
IRB
Protocol 2206P-001347
The
purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between opioid
therapy and clinical outcomes. The dose, duration of treatment, and
type of opioid will be compared to outcomes such as pain reduction,
functional improvement, and presence of side effects in chronic pain
patients on opioid therapy. This is a retrospective chart review
study only. Medical records of patients who were seen at
Massachusetts General
Hospital
Pain
Center
from 1995 on,
and who were on opioid therapy, will be examined for variables of opioid
therapy, and clinical outcomes will be recorded.
ACUPUNCTURE AND PAIN MANAGEMENT-A NATIONAL SURVEY
A nation wide survey was conducted to gather information regarding the role of acupuncture in pain management from pain physicians and referral physicians who mange clinical pain conditions. In recent years acupuncture has gained popularity in the United States of America as a modality of complementary and alternative medicine for certain disease entities and clinical conditions including pain. Our results indicate that an overwhelming majority of survey responders have a positive attitude toward using acupuncture as an alternative modality for pain management.
To obtain a copy of the in-press paper and read the analysis of our study results please forward a request to MGHpainresearch@partners.org
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