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Chronic Back PainNCT05203770

Adaptations of the Brain in Chronic Pain With Opioid Exposure I

An observational study of Chronic Back Pain and Opioid Use, run by Northwestern University at 2 sites in United States.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study investigates brain reorganization and behavioral responses in chronic pain with opioid exposure in Chronic Back Pain (CBP). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Back Pain, Opioid Use
How many people
250 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
31 Oct 2018to 30 Jun 2024
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Subjects must be 18 years or older. Male and Female No racial/ethnic restrictions General health status: generally good health

Who may be able to join

  • History of low back pain for a minimum of 6 months daily (prior to screening), meeting the Quebec Task Force Classification System symptom categories I-III;
  • Male or female, age equal or greater than 18 years, with no racial/ethnic restrictions;
  • Must have a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score ≥ 40 mm (of 100 mm maximum) at the baseline scanning visit (for which 0mm = no pain, and 100 mm = worst pain imaginable);
  • Must be able to read and speak English and be willing to read and understand instructions as well as questionnaires;
  • Must be in generally stable health;
  • Must sign an informed consent document after a complete explanation of the study documenting that they understand the purpose of the study, procedures to be undertaken, possible benefits and potential risks, and are willing to participate;
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  • Must have, on average ≥ 4/10 units of pain intensity over the course of a 1-2 week period prior to the brain scanning visit;
  • Must be willing to complete daily smartphone/computer app ratings;
  • Must be on regular opioid or NSAID therapy for at least 3 months prior to randomization (for opioid and non-opioid treatment groups, respectively), which will be up to the clinical investigator's decision.

Who cannot join

  • Low back pain associated with any systemic signs or symptoms, e.g., fever, chills;
  • Evidence of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute vertebral fractures,
  • fibromyalgia, history of tumor in the back;
  • Other comorbid chronic pain or neurological conditions;
  • Involvement in litigation regarding their back pain or having a disability claim or receiving workman's compensation or seeking either as a result of back pain;
  • Diagnosis of current major depression or psychiatric disorder requiring treatment, or such a diagnosis in the previous 6 months;
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  • Beck Depression Inventory II score of >28;
  • Use of therapeutic doses of antidepressant medications at unstable doses (i.e., tricyclic depressants,
  • SSRIs, SNRIs; low doses used for sleep may be allowed);
  • Significant other medical disease such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary or peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, or malignancy;
  • Uncontrolled hypertension;
  • Renal insufficiency;
  • Current use of recreational drugs or history of alcohol or drug abuse;
  • Any change in medication for back pain in the last 30 days;
  • High dose opioid prophylaxis, as defined as > 50mg morphine equivalent/day;
  • Any medical condition that in the investigator's judgment may prevent the individual from completing the study or put the individual at undue risk;
  • In the judgment of the investigator, unable or unwilling to follow protocol and instructions;
  • Evidence of poor treatment compliance, in the judgment of the investigator;
  • Intra-axial implants (e.g. spinal cord stimulators or pumps);
  • All exclusion criteria for MR safety: any metallic implants, brain or skull abnormalities, tattoos on large body parts, and claustrophobia;
  • Pregnancy, or inability to use an effective form of contraception in women of child-bearing age;
  • Diabetes (type 1 or type 2);
  • Lactose intolerance;
  • Allergic reaction to naproxen or any NSAID;
  • Any untoward reaction to l-dopa or carbidopa.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites
  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611

  • Shirley Ryan Ability Lab

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611

Other trials in United States

About this study

This study investigates brain reorganization and behavioral responses in chronic pain with opioid exposure in Chronic Back Pain (CBP).

Read the detailed description

Chronic back pain (CBP) is the most prevalent chronic pain condition in the US. Opiates are commonly prescribed to treat CBP; as such, these patients are a primary contributor to the current opioid epidemic. This study will assess the impact of opioid use on brain anatomy and function in those subjects taking opioids without opioid misuse disorder, as well as those subjects with opioid misuse disorder, relative to those with CBP and are not taking opioids and healthy controls. This is an observational study, that seeks to establish risk factors and brain biomarkers for opioid misuse disorder and relate brain adaptations to exposure to both opioids and chronic pain. This study also seeks to determine the impact of opioid use on cognitive, emotional, and motor abilities.

Keywords
Opioids, Opioid Misuse Disorder, Brain Adaptations, biomarkers

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Study groups in NCT05203770
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
CBP+mOUDChronic Back pain participants taking opioids and classified in the opioid misuse disorder group
CBP+OChronic Back pain participants taking opioids and without opioid misuse disorder group
CBP-OChronic Back pain participants not taking opioids
Healthy ControlsHealthy control without pain or taking opioids.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. To determine effects of opioid exposure on human brain anatomy and function in CBP using resting-state functional magnetic resonance (fMRI).

    We will test the impact of opioid use on brain anatomy and function. For this, all participants will undergo a resting-state functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) exam. Measures of brain anatomy and brain connectivity will be acquired and compared between the observational groups (CBP+O and CBP+mOUD, relative to CBP-O and healthy control). We seek to establish risk factors and brain biomarkers for OUD and relate brain adaptations to exposure to both opioids and chronic pain.

    Measured: 1-2 years

  2. To determine cognition, emotion, and motor abilities with opioid exposure in CBP, and to identify associated human brain maladptions.

    We will test the impact of opioid use on abilities in CBP+O and CBP+mOUD, relative to CBP-O and healthy controls. For this participants will respond to questionnaires related to their thoughts and feelings.

    Measured: 1-2 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Jan 2022
  2. Study start31 Oct 2018
  3. Primary completion23 Feb 2023
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2024 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
250 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05203770
Sponsor's protocol ID
STU00207384
Status last verified
Mar 2024
First submitted
16 Nov 2021
Last updated
19 Mar 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Chronic Back Pain and Opioid Use, run by Northwestern University at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 25 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Mar 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

To determine effects of opioid exposure on human brain anatomy and function in CBP using resting-state functional magnetic resonance (fMRI). (time frame: 1-2 years). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Mar 2024.

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