Visual and Auditory Neuromodulation of Pain Perception
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Pain, Acute
In brief
Medical and dental patients may experience fear commonly attributed to physical pain during the visit. By reducing pain perception, patient comfort and future patient compliance may be improved. Patient health may be improved by increasing compliance and promoting increased visits. This can lead to more frequent and timely preventative actions. The research purpose is to establish quantitative and qualitative data to support current, non-pharmacological methods for reducing pain sensitivity. More specifically, the investigators aim to determine if the use of auditory and visual (3D imaging) stimuli related to the regulation of breathing can decrease or modulate pain. Healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 60 will participate in a one week study, with two in lab appointments on day one and day seven. Participants will be split into two groups, one will undergo breathing awareness using auditory and visual technology (i.e. listen to one's own breathing with headphones and watch 3D image of lungs using virtual headset), and the second group will have breathing awareness without the use of technology (i.e. simply focusing on one's own breathing). At each appointment, the investigators will collect pain threshold data using thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing (tQST) and brain activity data using Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). tQST and fNIRS data will be collected before, during, and after each breathing awareness/control exercise. Quantifying change in pain intensity has been demonstrated by pain threshold comparison across a stimulus using thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing (tQST). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in coordination with pain stimulation has been shown effective at locating different hemodynamic cortical responses depending on pain perception and expectation. In the current study, functional resting states before and after pain stimulation will be quantitatively assessed using fNIRS. The study design will allow the investigators to determine if the use of auditory and visual (3D imaging) stimuli related to the regulation of breathing can decrease or modulate pain. Cortical responses will give additional insight into the areas related to the decreased pain threshold. The long term objective is to increase neurophysiological understanding that will improve patient care. If effective, the novel experimental methods used will help to standardize future pain evaluation techniques.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT04281836
- Run by
- University of Michigan
- People needed
- 40
- Starts
- 2016-02-11
- Expected to finish
- 2019-12-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2020-02-24
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Between the ages of 18-60
- Healthy subjects with no ongoing medical conditions
You may not qualify if…
- Significant hearing and visual impairment
- Concurrent use of opioids or NSAIDs
- History or current evidence of chronic pain; recent acute pain during the past 6 months
- History of neurological disorder (e.g. epilepsy, stroke, neuropathy, neuropathic pain)
- History or current evidence of a psychotic disorder (e.g. schizophrenia) or substance abuse by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - IV; bipolar or severe major depression
- Ongoing, unresolved disability litigation
- Use of an investigational drug or device within 30 days of study entry
- Pregnancy during course of study
- History or current evidence of respiratory distress or asthma
- History of uncontrolled endocrine disturbances (diabetes, thyroid, etc.)
- Any severe clinical condition that in the opinion of the PI interferes with the study
- Beards and/or facial hair
- Inability complete all sessions within 7 days plus or minus one day.
Where it is running
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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