We are currently conducting the following studies:
Mechanisms of Pain in Healthy Adults and Patients with Chronic Pain Conditions
C-Fiber mediated pain sensations are most important for chronic pain. This type of pain is dull, often ill described, sometimes burning or aching. Importantly, it resembles pain sensations often reported in FMS. Therefore we are testing C-Fiber mediated pain in patients with FMS as well as normal controls and other pain patients. This study will provide information about spinal cord and brain mechanisms that are involved in pain processing. Tests will only use mild heat or pressure stimuli to the skin or muscles.
Genes Relevant to Fibromyalgia Pain
We are working to identify the genetic factors related to pain and pain sensitivity. Genetic information may allow us to learn more about what causes your pain as well as how to prevent it. This identification will help us to develop treatments and someday even cures. This study requires the collection of a small amount of blood for genetic analysis and is restricted to FMS patients only. Strict confidentiality will be maintained.
Effects of Local Muscle Injections for Pain and Hyperalgesia of Fibromyalgia Patients
Local treatments can make a major difference in the overall pain of FMS patients. Deactivation of painful muscle areas by injections with special local anesthetics is currently being investigated in our lab. We want to prove that targeted local therapies can powerfully relieve your pain. Thus eliminating the need to take medications that affect your whole body. Procedures for this study will include mild heat and pressure testing before and after the injections. We are currently enrolling qualified FMS patients for this compensated study.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pain in Fibromyalgia Patients
FMS Patients meeting the entry criteria will be enrolled into this study which looks at the structures of grey and white matter of the brain. We want to determine if chronic pain affects the physical structures of your brain. Monetary compensation will be provided for those who qualify and complete the study protocol.
Effects of Acupuncture on Pain
Used for centuries to treat pain, acupuncture has been endorsed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. Our study tests the effectiveness of acupuncture on pain and pain sensitivity. Preliminary testing has produced promising results in pain patients. Healthy Adults, FMS patients, and pain patients who qualify may participate in this paid study.
Tender Points in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Tender points are used world wide for the classification of fibromyalgia. This study evaluates a patients pain sensitivity of these areas using both mechanical and thermal stimuli. Each subject will participate in one session, lasting approximately 90 minutes. Monetary compensation will be provided for those who qualify and complete the study protocol.
Diffused Noxious Inhibitory Control (DNIC) - Pain Modulation in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Pain modulation has been found to be abnormal in patients with fibromyalgia. We are using a counter-irritation test to test this finding. While heat stimuli are applied to the skin of one arm, mildly painful mechanical pressure is applied to the other arm. Each subject will participate in up to two sessions, each lasting approximately 30 minutes.
Pain Modulation (Gate-Control) in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Simple sensations, like touch and vibration can inhibit pain. In fibromyalgia patients, however, this pain-inhibitory mechanism may have become dysfunctional. We will apply moderately painful heat stimuli to the skin of one arm, while we put a vibrating tool on the same arm or other arm. Each subject will participate in up to two sessions, each lasting approx. 60 minutes.
Pain Modulation (Offset-Analgesia) in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Pain from mild to moderate heat resolves very quickly after termination of the stimulus. In chronic pain patients, however, this pain inhibitory mechanism may be dysfunctional. Each subject will participate in up to two compensated sessions, each lasting approx. 60 minutes.
Spatial Summation of Pain in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Spatial summation patients with fibromyalgia will be compared to normal controls. For this purpose part of the upper and lower extremity will be immersed in warm water for 20 seconds. Each subject will participate in two sessions, each lasting approx. 30 minutes.
Stimulus Response to Ascending and Descending Heat Stimuli
Increasing or decreasing heat and cold sensations will be elicited at the hands of fibromyalgia patients and normal controls. Each subject will participate in two session, each lasting approx. 30 minutes.
Effects of Savella (Milnacipran) on Pain and Hyperalgesia of Fibromyalgia Patients
Last year milnacipran was the first drug in the US to be approved solely for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. We are conducting a clinical trial of this medication to see its effect not only on patient's pain levels, but also their levels of hyperalgesia. We want to learn more about how Savella works, and why it works for some patients and not others. This trial is expected to last 6-8 weeks. We are actively recruiting fibromyalgia participants for this trial.
If you are interested in participating in our clincial trials or would like to receive more information, please call our study coordinators Elena, Elizabeth, Bethany, or Katie at 352-265-8901 or contact us by email at painresearch@medicine.ufl.edu