Central Sensitisation in Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain

NCT ID: NCT07321080

Last Updated: 2026-01-06

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

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

185 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-15

Study Completion Date

2027-12-20

Brief Summary

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This study aims to investigate differences in central sensitization among patients with chronic nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, and mixed pain conditions. Chronic pain is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon involving sensory, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components, often sustained by mechanisms of central sensitization that contribute to pain persistence and treatment resistance.

Using a multidimensional assessment approach, the study integrates self-report questionnaires, neuropsychological evaluation, psychological measures, treatment adherence assessment, and neurophysiological investigation through laser-evoked potentials (LEP). Participants will be evaluated at baseline and after 12 months to explore differences between pain types and longitudinal changes in central sensitization, cognitive functioning, emotional status, and engagement with treatment.

The findings are expected to improve the understanding of neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying different chronic pain phenotypes and to support more personalized and effective pain management strategies.

Detailed Description

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This is an observational, prospective, longitudinal cohort study designed to examine central sensitization and its multidimensional correlates in patients with chronic pain. The study will be conducted at the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", P.O. "Piemonte", Messina, Italy.

The study population consists of adult patients (18-90 years) suffering from chronic pain and referred to the pain outpatient clinic or hospitalized in pain therapy units. Based on standardized screening instruments for pain classification (Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions - DN4 and PainDETECT Questionnaire - PD-Q), participants will be stratified into three cohorts: nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, and mixed pain. The mixed group includes patients with overlapping nociceptive and neuropathic features or pain conditions that are not clearly classifiable within a single category, including nociplastic pain mechanisms.

All participants will undergo a comprehensive evaluation at baseline (T0) and at 12-month follow-up (T1). The assessment protocol includes measures of pain intensity and central sensitization (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Central Sensitization Inventory), neurophysiological assessment of nociceptive pathways using laser-evoked potentials (LEP), cognitive screening (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), psychological status (Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), pain-related self-efficacy (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire), treatment engagement (Patient Health Engagement Scale), and medication adherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale).

Participants will also be stratified according to their pharmacological treatment at baseline, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, opioids, cannabinoids, anticonvulsants/gabapentinoids, antidepressants, topical agents, and combination therapies. Changes in treatment during the follow-up period will be documented.

The primary objective is to compare levels of central sensitization among nociceptive, neuropathic, and mixed pain groups using both subjective (CSI) and objective (LEP) measures. Secondary objectives include the characterization of cognitive, psychological, and behavioral profiles associated with each pain type and the evaluation of longitudinal changes over time.

This multidimensional and longitudinal approach aims to clarify the role of central sensitization across different chronic pain phenotypes and to support more tailored and integrated therapeutic strategies.

Conditions

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Chronic Pain Nociceptive Pain Neuropathic Pain Mixed Pain (Nociceptive and Neuropathic)

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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Nociceptive pain

Patients suffering from nociceptive pain

Neuropsychological assessment

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Neuropsychological assessment Standardized and ad hoc test battery for comprehensive neuropsychological assessment

Laser evoked potentials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Laser evoked potentials

Mixed pain

Patients suffering from mixed pain

Neuropsychological assessment

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Neuropsychological assessment Standardized and ad hoc test battery for comprehensive neuropsychological assessment

Laser evoked potentials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Laser evoked potentials

Neuropathic pain

Patients suffering from neuropathic pain

Neuropsychological assessment

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Neuropsychological assessment Standardized and ad hoc test battery for comprehensive neuropsychological assessment

Laser evoked potentials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Laser evoked potentials

Interventions

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Neuropsychological assessment

Neuropsychological assessment Standardized and ad hoc test battery for comprehensive neuropsychological assessment

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Laser evoked potentials

Laser evoked potentials

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age between 18 and 90 years
* Presence of chronic pain
* Diagnosis of nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, mixed pain, or nociplastic pain
* Patients referring to the pain outpatient clinic
* Patients hospitalized in pain therapy units
* Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Presence of severe psychiatric disorders
* Presence of severe neurological disorders
* Presence of oncological diseases in terminal stage
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

90 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Anna Anselmo

Psychologist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Irccs Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

Messina, Sicily, Italy

Site Status

Countries

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Italy

Other Identifiers

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CEL/U138/25

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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