PET Imaging of Chronic Pain Syndromes

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

32 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2017-06-07

Study Completion Date

2026-04-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Central nervous system (CNS) changes associated with pain have been difficult to measure until the development of functional neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET). We have previously observed asymmetry in the thalamus associated with chronic pain that altered during acupuncture therapy. Imaging studies of therapeutic techniques for chronic pain in animals and humans have been quite limited. This study will be the first to utilize FDG PET-MRI imaging of both the brain and body in order to assess CNS changes and peripheral body changes related to chronic pain and its potential management.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Brain, Brainstem, and Spinal Cord fMRI

NCT02356315

Neck Pain Chronic Pain

COMPLETED

Central Mechanisms of Chronic Pain and Fatigue Subtitle: Functional Imaging of Brain and Spinal Cord

NCT03075254

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fibromyalgia

COMPLETED

PETMRI for Chronic Pain from Spinal or Peripheral Nerve Origin

NCT06599151

Nerve Pain Neuropathic Pain Nociceptive Pain +1 more

NOT_YET_RECRUITING PHASE1

The Use of Resting State, fMRI and DTI in the Identification of Chronic Pain Conditions

NCT02987933

Chronic Pain

UNKNOWN

Brain Imaging Study of Acupuncture in Chronic Low Back Pain

NCT01614639

Low Back Pain Back Pain Lower Back Chronic Low Back Pain, Recurrent

COMPLETED NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

The proposed study is based on our growing understanding of chronic pain and our ability to use functional brain imaging to study in vivo neurophysiologic processes. It is important to understand the brain and body mechanisms of chronic pain in order to better determine therapeutic interventions to reduce pain. Part of the difficulty in treating chronic pain is to determine how better to diagnose what specific issues are affecting the brain and body that result in chronic pain. Participants will undergo a small battery of diagnostic tests that include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET). A secondary goal of this study is to determine if undergoing chiropractic care alters body or brain physiology in patients with chronic pain.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Chronic Pain Syndrome

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Observational Model Type

OTHER

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Chiropractic Group

Participants receiving a chiropractic care technique Neuro Emotive Technique (NET) will complete initial pain evaluations and questionnaires for chronic pain symptoms. After approximately 8 weeks participants will receive follow evaluation for pain. Pre and Post PET-MRI scan will be conducted to evaluate changes.

Chiropractic Group

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will receive approximately 8 weeks of chiropractic care.

Healthy Control Group

Participants will receive initial evaluations and questionnaires followed by a PET-MRI scan.

Healthy Control Group

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will not receive any interventions.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Chiropractic Group

Participants will receive approximately 8 weeks of chiropractic care.

Intervention Type OTHER

Healthy Control Group

Participants will not receive any interventions.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Age greater than 18 years old.
* Have chronic pain symptoms for \>3 months;
* Have moderate pain (\>3/10) in 2 or more areas for more than 5 out of 7 days
* Is planning on undergoing chiropractic care for the clinical management of the chronic pain.
* May be on pain medications provided that they are on a stable dose for at least 1 month
* Patients have no other pre-existing and active significant medical, neurological, or psychological disorders.
* Minor, stable health problems that should have no substantial effect on cerebral blood flow will be allowed (i.e. controlled hypertension, medication controlled diabetes).
* Patients will be allowed to be taking medications or supplements at the initial intake, but they must be on a stable dose regimen for at least 1 month.
* Able to give informed consent and willing to complete the study at Thomas Jefferson University and Marcus Institute of Integrative Health.

* No significant current active medical conditions.
* Stable medical conditions as determined by the PI are allowed.
* No brain or body abnormalities that would affect the acquisition or analysis of the scan.

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnant or breast feeding
* Enrollment in active clinical trial/ experimental therapy within the prior 30 days.
* Subject is unable or unwilling to lie still in the scanner (i.e. due to claustrophobia or weight)
* Subject has metal in their body or other reason that they cannot undergo magnetic resonance imaging.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No