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Acute Pain Effects on Motor Skills
N/A
Recruiting
Led By Susanne M Morton, PhD
Research Sponsored by University of Delaware
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial Must have
18-35 years old (YA group only) or 55-85 years old (OA group only)
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Any history of acute or chronic problems with balance, any dizziness, or > 1 fall in the last 12 months
Any impaired sensation or weakness in either lower extremity or in the area targeted for the stimulus
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up immediately after learning (day 1)
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group
Summary
This trial aims to study how pain affects the ability of older adults to learn and remember new movements. The researchers believe that acute pain may make it harder for both young and older adults to retain what they
Who is the study for?
This trial is for medically healthy young adults aged 18-35 and older adults aged 55-85 who can read, write, and speak English. They must be able to consent and attend all sessions, willing to experience experimental pain or non-painful stimulation. Young participants will be sex-matched with an older participant.
What is being tested?
The study investigates how acute pain affects learning new motor skills like walking in both young and older adults. It looks at whether pain changes how well they remember these skills later on, especially if cognitive decline due to aging plays a role.
What are the potential side effects?
Participants may experience temporary discomfort from the experimental pain or electrical stimulation used in this study. The extent of side effects will vary between individuals.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria belowSelect...
I am either 18-35 years old or 55-85 years old.
Exclusion Criteria
You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:Select...
I have had balance issues, felt dizzy, or fallen more than once in the past year.
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I have numbness or weakness in my legs or the area to be treated.
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My cognitive test score is below 23.
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I don't have any health conditions that could interfere with the study or put me at risk.
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I have had a serious head injury or more than 2 concussions.
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I am currently taking four or more medications.
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I have had pain anywhere in my body for the last year with a severity of more than 2 out of 10.
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I have skin issues in the area where pain is targeted.
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I have poor blood flow in the area where I feel pain.
Timeline
Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~ 24 hours post learning (day 2)
Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~24 hours post learning (day 2)
Treatment Details
Study Objectives
Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.Primary study objectives
Digit Span Backward Test
Digit Span Forward Test
Motor Learning Magnitude
+1 moreAwards & Highlights
No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.
Trial Design
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Pain StimulusExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Capsaicin combined with heat applied to intact skin
Group II: No StimulusActive Control1 Intervention
Nothing applied to skin
Find a Location
Who is running the clinical trial?
National Institute on Aging (NIA)NIH
1,804 Previous Clinical Trials
28,194,831 Total Patients Enrolled
176 Trials studying Aging
80,922 Patients Enrolled for Aging
University of DelawareLead Sponsor
162 Previous Clinical Trials
25,554 Total Patients Enrolled
3 Trials studying Aging
93 Patients Enrolled for Aging
Susanne M Morton, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Delaware
2 Previous Clinical Trials
84 Total Patients Enrolled