Sensory Training for Chronic Pain

Overseen By Nicole Jehl, BS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Neurological conditions, Severe affect disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new type of sensory training, called Flexible Attention Sensory Training, designed to help children with long-lasting muscle or bone pain, such as chronic regional pain syndrome. The training uses a fun, game-like approach to manage and reduce pain. The researchers aim to assess how easy and enjoyable this method is for children to use. Children with musculoskeletal pain who speak English may be suitable participants, provided they do not have other neurological conditions or severe mental health issues. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for children to try an innovative approach to pain management.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this sensory training is safe for children with chronic musculoskeletal pain?

In a previous study, researchers found that sensory training can reduce chronic pain by enhancing patients' ability to feel touch and function better in daily life. Designed for home use, this training includes game-like features to increase engagement.

Reports so far suggest that this method is well-tolerated, with users rarely experiencing negative side effects. The study aims to determine if this training is not only safe but also appealing and easy for children with chronic pain to use regularly.

While detailed information about side effects remains limited, the emphasis on home use and gamification suggests a patient-friendly approach. This could offer a comfortable option for managing chronic pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional treatments for chronic pain, which often rely on medications like opioids or NSAIDs, Flexible Attention Sensory Training offers a non-drug approach. This experimental method involves a gamified sensory training protocol, which means it's designed to be interactive and engaging, potentially making it more appealing and easier for patients to stick with. Researchers are excited because it targets the brain's attention mechanisms, providing a novel way to help manage pain by potentially retraining how the brain perceives and processes pain signals. This could lead to fewer side effects and a personalized treatment experience for those living with chronic pain.

What evidence suggests that this sensory training is effective for chronic pain?

Studies have shown that Flexible Attention Sensory Training, which participants in this trial will receive, can help reduce pain. Early research with adults found this method engaging and effective in decreasing pain in those with widespread muscle and joint pain. Another study found that training to improve cognitive flexibility (the mind's ability to switch between different thoughts) reduced pain severity in individuals with chronic pain. Additionally, training to enhance the sense of touch has been suggested to reduce chronic pain and improve function. These findings offer promising evidence that this type of sensory training could aid in managing chronic pain. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Laura Simons, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children with chronic musculoskeletal pain, such as chronic regional pain syndrome. Participants must speak English but cannot have neurological conditions like seizures or cerebral palsy, severe mood disorders like major depression/anxiety, or skin diseases/allergies aggravated by sensor tape.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with chronic pain in my muscles or joints.

English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

I have severe depression or anxiety.

I have been diagnosed with a neurological condition like seizures or cerebral palsy.

You have a skin condition or allergies that would get worse if you use sensor tape.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in daily gamified sensory training using the TrainPain device at home

8 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Flexible Attention Sensory Training

Trial Overview The study is testing a gamified sensory rehabilitation training technology to see if it's practical and well-received by kids suffering from long-term muscle and joint pain.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Sensory Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Daily protocol - gamified sensory training

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06051305

Flexible Attention Sensory Training for Youth with Chronic ... In preliminary studies with adults, TrainPain is shown to be highly engaging, and effective at reducing pain in adults with widespread musculoskeletal (MSK) ...

2. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT06051305/flexible-attention-sensory-training-for-youth-with-chronic-pain

Flexible Attention Sensory Training for Youth with Chronic ... In preliminary studies with adults, TrainPain is shown to be highly engaging, and effective at reducing pain in adults with widespread ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10863938/

Cognitive flexibility training for chronic pain: a randomized ... Outcomes suggest that using neurocognitive training to modify cognitive flexibility in patients with chronic pain may improve pain severity.

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/1/134

Feasibility of an 8-Week Home-Based Sensory Perception ... Evidence suggests that tactile acuity training could reduce chronic pain [10] as well as improve function [11]. A systematic review of 10 randomised controlled ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304395910003301

A comparison of the effect of attention training and ... Results showed that, relative to relaxation training, those receiving ATT reported pain less quickly than those receiving relaxation, although there were no ...

6. clinicaltrials.stanford.edu clinicaltrials.stanford.edu/trials/f/NCT06051305.html

Flexible Attention Sensory Training for Youth with Chronic Pain The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of gamified sensory rehabilitation training technology for children with chronic ...

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-chronic-pain-9-2023-a1227

Sensory Training for Chronic Pain · Info for Participants ... evaluate whether Flexible Attention Sensory Training will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with Chronic Pain. Learn more about the study.