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Central SensitisationNFR-CSNCT05321550

The Nociceptive Flexion Reflex as a Diagnostic Tool of Central Sensitization

An observational study of Central Sensitisation and Fibromyalgia, run by University Ghent at 1 site in Belgium.

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 The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.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 experimental study will investigate whether the decreased NFR threshold and increased NFR temporal summation, which are frequently observed in chronic pain patients, are only symptomatic manifestations that occur in the involved limb and indicate peripheral sensitization or generalized manifestations that are… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Central Sensitisation, Fibromyalgia, Neck Pain
How many people
240 participants
Where
1 siteBelgium
Study dates
21 Apr 2022to Oct 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 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: * Fibromyalgia patients (n=30) diagnosed according to the 2010 ACR-criteria * Patients with non-specific, idiopathic neck pain complaints which are acute (n=30) or chronic (n=30) * Patients with neck pain complaints of traumatic origin type whiplash grade 1 (pain, stiffness or tenderness of the neck and no objective physical abnormalities) and grade 2 (neck complaints and musculoskeletal disorders such as reduced range of motion and tender pain points) according to the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash Associated Disorders which is acute (n=30) or chronic (n=30) * Patients with non-specific, idiopathic back pain complaints which are acute (n=30) or chronic (n=30) * Healthy controls (n=30) matched based on age, sex and BMI

Who may be able to join

  • diagnosed according to 2010 ACR-criteria
  • having idiopathic neck pain complaints or having grade 1 (pain, stiffness or tenderness of the neck and without objective physical abnormalities) or grade 2 (neck complaints and musculoskeletal disorders such as decreased range of motion and tender pain points) according to the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash Associated Disorders
  • having idiopathic low back pain complaints
  • no history of serious pain complaints (e.g. severe migraine, fibromyalgia, etc.)
  • no low back or neck pain complaints with an intensity of ≥2/10 on a visual analogue scale in the past year and of such severity that the daily activities were disrupted and a (para)medic was consulted

Who cannot join

  • history of severe respiratory (e.g. cystic fibrosis), orthopedic (e.g. whiplash trauma), neurological (e.g. cerebrovascular incident), cardiovascular (e.g. severe hypertension), or endocrinological (e.g. diabetes) disorders
  • recent psychological trauma (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • history of spinal surgery (e.g. lumbar discectomy), spinal trauma (e.g. vertebral fracture), or severe spinal deformities (e.g. spondylolisthesis)
  • BMI ≥35 (due to potential difficulties in obtaining an NFR in severely overweight individuals)
  • having pacemakers and defibrillators (absolute exclusion criteria for electrical stimulus stimulation, i.e. TENS)
  • pregnancy, lactation, or within 1 year postpartum

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Sophie Van Oosterwijck contact

+329 332 69 22

sophie.vanoosterwijck@ugent.be

Jessica Van Oosterwijck contact

jessica.vanoosterwijck@ugent.be

Belgium1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Ghent University

    Ghent

    Sophie Van Oosterwijck, sophie.vanoosterwijck@ugent.be

    Sophie Van Oosterwijck

    Recruiting

Other trials in Belgium

About this study

Official title: De Nociceptieve Flexie Reflex Als Diagnostische Test Voor Centrale Sensitisatie

This experimental study will investigate whether the decreased NFR threshold and increased NFR temporal summation, which are frequently observed in chronic pain patients, are only symptomatic manifestations that occur in the involved limb and indicate peripheral sensitization or generalized manifestations that are also present in the non-involved limbs and thus indicate central sensitization. To gain an idea of the presence of central sensitization, this study will also investigate whether there are increased perception and decreased pain thresholds in response to electrical, thermal, and mechanical stimulation, as well as whether there is a decreased conditioned pain modulation. To investigate this, it is essential to examine different pain populations and locations, in particular, acute pain versus chronic pain populations to compare peripheral versus central sensitization, respectively. Recently, our research group has shown that patients with a traumatic origin of chronic neck pain (chronic whiplash-associated disorders) show central sensitization in contrast to patients with a non-traumatic origin (chronic idiopathic neck pain) who demonstrate only indications for peripheral sensitization. Therefore, this study will also distinguish between complaints of traumatic and non-traumatic origin.

The measurements will be performed at different locations, namely the lower and upper limbs. To determine whether the differences depend on the measurement location (= location where experimental nociceptive stimulation is administered) and symptom location (= location of clinical nociceptive stimulation), different patient populations will be compared with each other, as well as with a healthy control population. In acute and chronic whiplash patients and patients with acute and chronic idiopathic neck pain complaints, the complaints are primarily localized in the upper limb. It is hypothesized that in chronic neck pain patients (both whiplash and idiopathic neck pain patients) abnormal values are found in both the upper and lower limbs compared to the healthy controls due to central sensitization. In acute neck pain patients (both whiplash and idiopathic neck pain) only abnormal values in the arm are expected and not in the leg as a result of peripheral sensitization. It is hypothesized that patients with neck pain of traumatic origin will show a stronger sensitization than those with neck pain of non-traumatic origin. In acute and chronic low back pain patients, the complaints are primarily localized in the lower body quadrant. As a result of central sensitization in the chronic low back pain patients, abnormal values are expected in both the upper and lower limbs, while only abnormal values in the leg are expected as a result of peripheral sensitization in the acute low back pain patients. Finally, this study will investigate whether chronic low back and neck pain patients show a similar pattern of central sensitization as fibromyalgia patients, a population with generalized complaints that are primarily attributed to central sensitization.

Medical subject headings
Fibromyalgia, Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, Whiplash Injuries

What participants receive

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

Study groups in NCT05321550
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Fibromyalgia patientsFibromyalgia patients diagnosed according to the 2010 ACR-criteria
Neck pain patients* Patients with non-specific, idiopathic neck pain complaints * Patients with neck pain complaints of traumatic origin type whiplash grade 1 (pain, stiffness or tenderness of the neck and no objective physical abnormalities) and grade 2 (neck complaints and musculoskeletal disorders such as reduced range of motion and tender pain points) according to the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash Associated Disorders
Low back pain patientsPatients with non-specific, idiopathic back pain complaints
Healthy controlsAge, sex and BMI-matched healthy controls

What is being measured

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

  1. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - electrical detection threshold

    Determination of sensory detection thresholds in response to electrical stimuli which are delivered transcutaneously over the n. suralis and n. medianus, recorded in mA.

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - electrical pain threshold

    Determination of sensory pain threshold in response to electrical stimuli which are delivered transcutaneously over the n. suralis and n. medianus, recorded in mA.

    Measured: Baseline

  3. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - thermal detection threshold

    Determination of sensory detection thresholds in response to thermal stimuli which are delivered to the skin using a thermode, recorded in °C:

    • cold detection threshold
    • warmth detection threshold

    Measured: Baseline

  4. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - thermal pain threshold

    Determination of sensory pain thresholds in response to thermal stimuli which are delivered to the skin using a thermode, recorded in °C:

    • cold pain threshold
    • heat pain threshold

    Measured: Baseline

  5. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - discrimination between thermal stimuli

    Determination of the number of paradoxical heat sensations in response to alternating cold and warm stimuli delivered to the skin using a thermode.

    Measured: Baseline

  6. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - tactile detection threshold

    Determination of tactile detection threshold, assessed using Von Frey monofilaments, recorded in mN

    Measured: Baseline

  7. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - mechanical pain threshold

    Determination of mechanical pain threshold, assessed using pinprick stimulators, recorded in mN

    Measured: Baseline

  8. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - sensitivity to pressure stimuli

    Determination of pressure pain threshold, assessed using pressure algometry, recorded in kg

    Measured: Baseline

  9. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - temporal summation of electrical stimuli

    Determination of temporal summation in response to electrical stimuli delivered transcutaneously over the skin of the n. suralis and n. medianus.

    The numerical pain rating in response to these stimuli (range 0 - 100) will be recorded.

    Measured: Baseline

  10. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - spinal hyperexcitability

    Determination of spinal hyperexcitability using the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR; sensitization of spinal cord neurons), recorded in mA

    Measured: Baseline

  11. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - temporal summation of spinal hyperexcitability

    Determination of temporal summation of the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR; sensitization of spinal cord neurons), recorded using a numeric pain rating scale (range 0 - 100)

    Measured: Baseline

  12. Quantitative sensory testing - conditioned pain modulation

    Determination of condition pain modulation (aka. pain inhibits pain) by means of a heterotopic noxious counterstimulation paradigm. Test stimuli comprise of pressure pain threshold assessments and application of a heat stimulus (using a thermode) corresponding to a temperature eliciting a visual analog scale rating of 5/10. Test stimuli will be applied before, during and after the conditioning stimulus which is the immersion of the hand in a hot circulating water bath of 45.5°C.

    Measured: Baseline

Secondary outcomes (14)
  1. Central sensitization inventory

    Self-report measure of signs and symptoms associated with central sensitization

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire

    Clinician administered questionnaire for evaluation of signs and symptoms associated with neuropathic pain

    Measured: Baseline

  3. Pain catastrophizing scale

    Self-report measure of pain perceptions and cognitions

    Measured: Baseline

  4. Pain vigilance and awareness questionnaire

    Self-report measure assessing preoccupation with and attention to pain

    Measured: Baseline

  5. Tampa scale for kinesiophobia

    Self-report measure assessing fear of movement

    Measured: Baseline

  6. International physical activity questionnaire

    Self-report measure of physical activity in preceeding 7 days

    Measured: Baseline

  7. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system - physical functioning

    Self-report measure of health-related domains relating to physical functioning

    Measured: Baseline

  8. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system - anxiety

    Self-report measure of health-related domains relating to anxiety

    Measured: Baseline

  9. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system - depression

    Self-report measure of health-related domains relating to depression

    Measured: Baseline

  10. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system - fatigue

    Self-report measure of health-related domains relating to fatigue and sleep disruption

    Measured: Baseline

  11. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system - participation

    Self-report measure of health-related domains relating to participation in social activities

    Measured: Baseline

  12. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system - pain interference

    Self-report measure of health-related domains relating to pain interference

    Measured: Baseline

  13. Injustice Experience Questionnaire

    Self-report measure of perceived injustice

    Measured: Baseline

  14. Pain Disability Index

    Self-report measure of pain-related disability

    Measured: Baseline

Timeline

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

  1. First posted11 Apr 2022
  2. Study start21 Apr 2022
  3. Primary completionOct 2024 (estimated)
  4. Study completionOct 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
240 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05321550
Sponsor's protocol ID
BC-5159
Acronym
NFR-CS
Status last verified
Jan 2024
First submitted
22 Mar 2022
Last updated
5 Jan 2024
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Central Sensitisation and Fibromyalgia, run by University Ghent at 1 site in Belgium.

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 5 inclusion and 6 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 5 Jan 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Belgium. 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?

Contact Sophie Van Oosterwijck (+329 332 69 22, sophie.vanoosterwijck@ugent.be), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) - electrical detection threshold (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 12 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 5 Jan 2024.

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