Markers of Trajectory in Pediatric CRPS

Description

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a severe and complex chronic pain condition in children. Many psychosocial factors impact its development and recovery. CRPS has a strong central component, which is reflected by structural and functional changes in the brain. However, the interaction between these cerebral changes and trajectory of recovery has been seldom investigated to date. Furthermore, interactions between cerebral changes and psychosocial factors, which might affect trajectory of recovery, are unknown. The aim of this study is to identify the psychosocial factors and cerebral changes that predict the trajectory of recovery from CRPS. Children between the ages of 10 and 17 years will be enrolled with one of their parents or legal guardians for this study. Three populations will be recruited: patients with CRPS undergoing treatment at the Functional Independence Restoration Program (FIRST), patients with CRPS undergoing treatment at the Pain Management Center and matching healthy controls. Participants will undergo three sessions: the first session will be scheduled immediately before or as soon as possible at the beginning of the patients' treatment; the second session will take place at the end of the patients' treatment; the last session will be scheduled six months post-treatment. The timing of the sessions of the healthy participants will follow a schedule similar to the FIRST patients. Each session will last approximately three hours and include acquisition of psychosocial, psychophysical, and brain imaging data in the child participants, as well as acquisition of psychosocial data in the parent participants.

Conditions

Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a severe and complex chronic pain condition in children. Many psychosocial factors impact its development and recovery. CRPS has a strong central component, which is reflected by structural and functional changes in the brain. However, the interaction between these cerebral changes and trajectory of recovery has been seldom investigated to date. Furthermore, interactions between cerebral changes and psychosocial factors, which might affect trajectory of recovery, are unknown. The aim of this study is to identify the psychosocial factors and cerebral changes that predict the trajectory of recovery from CRPS. Children between the ages of 10 and 17 years will be enrolled with one of their parents or legal guardians for this study. Three populations will be recruited: patients with CRPS undergoing treatment at the Functional Independence Restoration Program (FIRST), patients with CRPS undergoing treatment at the Pain Management Center and matching healthy controls. Participants will undergo three sessions: the first session will be scheduled immediately before or as soon as possible at the beginning of the patients' treatment; the second session will take place at the end of the patients' treatment; the last session will be scheduled six months post-treatment. The timing of the sessions of the healthy participants will follow a schedule similar to the FIRST patients. Each session will last approximately three hours and include acquisition of psychosocial, psychophysical, and brain imaging data in the child participants, as well as acquisition of psychosocial data in the parent participants.

Identifying Markers of Trajectory in Pediatric Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Markers of Trajectory in Pediatric CRPS

Condition
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45229

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Age between 10 and 17 years old
  • * Fluent in English
  • * Diagnosis of CRPS
  • * Former unsuccessful treatment for CRPS
  • * Scheduled for or beginning the usual inpatient treatment for CRPS at the FIRST clinic at CCHMC.
  • * Diagnosis of CRPS
  • * Scheduled for or beginning the usual outpatient treatment for CRPS at the pain management clinic
  • * Fluent in English
  • * Child participating in the study
  • * Weight/size incompatible with MRI scanner
  • * Identification of brain, neurologic, or severe psychiatric abnormalities beyond those normally associated with chronic pain.
  • * Documented developmental delays or impairment
  • * Any MRI contra-indication, including
  • * Braces, stents, clips, pace-maker or other metal implants affecting the safety of the participants in the scanner and/or the quality of the images
  • * pregnancy
  • * claustrophobia

Ages Eligible for Study

10 Years to 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati,

Robert C Coghill, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Children's Hospital, Cincinnati

Study Record Dates

2026-08-31