Brain Imaging for Juvenile Fibromyalgia
(JFM Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how teenage girls with juvenile fibromyalgia experience pain and emotions differently in their brains compared to girls without the condition. Researchers will use brain scans (fMRI, or Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to observe these differences and determine if they change with various treatments over time. Girls diagnosed with juvenile fibromyalgia, who are right-handed and experience mild or greater disability, can participate. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding juvenile fibromyalgia and potentially improve future treatments.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial requires that you have a stable medication regimen for 3 weeks before the MRI scan, so you should not change your current medications during that time. However, you cannot participate if you are taking opioid pain medication.
What prior data suggests that functional magnetic resonance imaging is safe for adolescents?
Research has shown that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is often used to study fibromyalgia and involves no invasive procedures, making it generally easy for patients to handle. fMRI, a type of brain scan, helps doctors observe brain activity by tracking blood flow.
While specific safety information for fMRI in young people with fibromyalgia is lacking, many studies have used fMRI with both adults and children without major safety concerns. It does not use radiation, making it safer than some other imaging methods. The most common issues might include discomfort in the machine or claustrophobia, but these are not harmful.
Overall, fMRI is considered safe for most people, including teenagers. There are no known harmful side effects from the magnetic fields or radio waves used in fMRI.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) for juvenile fibromyalgia because it offers a new way to explore how the brain is involved in this condition. Unlike typical treatments that focus on managing symptoms through medication or physical therapy, fMRI provides a detailed look at brain activity and could uncover underlying neurological patterns. This technique could potentially lead to more targeted treatment strategies, offering hope for more effective management of fibromyalgia in young patients.
What evidence suggests that this imaging technique is effective for studying juvenile fibromyalgia?
Research shows that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which participants in this trial will undergo, can reveal differences in how the brains of people with fibromyalgia handle pain. Studies have found that when people with fibromyalgia experience certain sensations, their brain responses differ from those without the condition, suggesting a unique way of processing pain. Additionally, evidence indicates that children with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia have less connection between brain areas that sense pain. These findings suggest that fMRI could help researchers understand and improve treatments for juvenile fibromyalgia by focusing on these specific brain changes.15678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Robert Coghill, PhD
Principal Investigator
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adolescent females with juvenile-onset fibromyalgia who are right-handed, have a mild disability or greater, and have been on stable medication for at least 3 weeks. They must be diagnosed by a specialist using specific criteria. Those with major psychiatric conditions, opioid use, other rheumatic diseases, or non-MRI compatible metal in their body cannot participate.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans to assess baseline brain activation differences in pain and emotional processing
Treatment
Participants undergo different treatment strategies such as neuromuscular training, cognitive behavioral therapy, and graded aerobic exercise
Post-treatment Assessment
fMRI scans to evaluate changes in neural processing of pain and emotion after treatment
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Lead Sponsor