Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?The study proposes to investigate the factors related to a person that can enhance or reduce the effectiveness of pain treatments in people suffering with chronic pain. Treatment response to pain killers in a person may be related to their brain, genetics, social, and psychological makeup. The investigators aim to study these factors to identify and develop feasible and robust indicators based on a person's biological makeup (also called biomarkers).
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults aged 18-75 with chronic low back pain lasting over 6 months and experiencing moderate pain. Participants must be right-handed, comfortable with English, and able to undergo MRI scans without contraindications like metal implants or claustrophobia. Healthy volunteers matching the age and hand dominance criteria but without pain or significant health issues can also join.Inclusion Criteria
I have had chronic low back pain for more than 6 months.
Chronic pain participant: Comfortable completing (reading and writing) questionnaires and tasks with English language instructions
I am between 18 and 75 years old and suffer from chronic pain.
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Exclusion Criteria
I do not have any ongoing pain issues.
You cannot have an MRI scan if you have a pacemaker, metal implants, fear of closed spaces, or are pregnant.
Healthy participant: History of cardiac, respiratory, or nervous system disease that, in the investigator's judgment and by asking the participant about their comfort level and ability, precludes participation in the study because of a heightened potential for adverse outcome. For example: asthma or claustrophobia
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Participant Groups
The study is exploring how brain imaging can reveal biomarkers related to chronic back pain treatment effectiveness. It involves comparing responses of individuals on placebos, those on a waitlist, and healthy controls to understand the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors.
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: WaitlistExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Chronic Back Pain participants will not be given any placebo and will be requested to report their pain on paper forms organized as a calendar.
Group II: PlacebosExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Chronic Back Pain participants will enter an optional placebo trial. This phase of the study will test the clinical usefulness of the biomarkers. We will measure how expectation of starting a new treatment reduces 'clinical back pain' in each participant. Positive treatment expectations will be induced by giving them capsules containing inert material and telling them that the capsules contain an effective drug that has been approved for treating Chronic Back Pain. They will be requested to take two capsules twice a day and report their pain on paper forms organized as a calendar.
Group III: Healthy ControlsExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Healthy control participants will complete the main part of the study, but will not be asked to take a placebo or be placed on a waitlist.
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Nova Scotia Health Authoity QEIIHalifax, Canada
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Nova Scotia Health AuthorityLead Sponsor