We are currently conducting the following studies:
Mechanisms of Pain in Patients with Fibromyalgia
C-pain 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-pain fiber mediated pain in patients with FMS as well as normal controls. This study will provide information about spinal cord and brain mechanisms that are involved in FMS pain. Tests will only use mild heat or pressure stimuli to the skin or muscles. Each participant will undergo several testing sessions, each lasting approx. 20 minutes. No needles! Location: Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Shands Hospital, Gainesville.
Genes Relevant to Fibromyalgia Pain
We are going 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, 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. Strict confidentiality will be maintained! Location: FMS Research lab at Shands Hospital in Gainesville
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 investigated in our lab. We want to prove that targeted local therapies can powerfully relieve your pains. Thus you don't have to take medications that affect your whole body. This study accepts healthy controls as well as FMS patients. Location: FMS Research Lab at Shands Hospital, Gainesville.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pain in Fibromyalgia
Brain blood flow changes of fibromyalgia patients will be compared to
normal controls during mildly painful skin stimuli.
Each subject will be trained in ratings of heat sensations. The fMRI session will
last approx. 1 hour
Sleep Medication for the Treatment of Insomnia in Fibromyalgia
A new study medication will be tested for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Insomnia, particularly interupted sleep is one of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia. Whereas most sleep medications used alter the normal sleep architecture, our new study medication provides near normal sleep stages, including deep sleep (stage III and IV). Participants will use the study medication at night. Study benefits include investigational study medication and study related exams (i.e. physical exams, lab tests) at no cost.
Effects of Acupuncture on Pain in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Used for centuries to treat pain, acupuncture has been endorsed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. Our study will test the effectiveness of acupuncture on FMS pain and pain sensitivity. Preliminary testing has produced promising results in FMS patients. Healthy controls and FMS patients will participate in one session lasting approximately 60 minutes. Location: FMS Research Lab at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
If you are interested in participating in our clincial trials or would like to receive more information, please call our study coordinators Amber, Natalia, Susann,or J.J. at 352-265-8901 or contact us by email at painresearch@medicine.ufl.edu
Tender Points in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Tender points are used for the classification of fibromyalgia. Because the tender point exam is a complicated test we are trying to substitute it with a heat test exam to the same body locations. Each subject will participate in one sessions, lasting approx. 60 minutes.
Pain Modulation (DNIC) in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Pain modulation has been found to be abnormal in patients with fibromyalgia. To test abnormal pain modulation, a counter-irritation test will be used. 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 approx. 60 minutes.
Pain Modulation (Gate-Control) in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Simple sensations, like touch and vibration can inhibit pain. In fibtomyalgia 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 patient, however, this pain inhibitory mechanism may be dysfunctional. Each subject will participate in up to two 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.