Purpose of this Study
In this study, people will first have a screening visit to make sure they can join and to check their pain and smoking habits. Next, they will have a training session to learn about the fake MRI scanner and how pain testing works. After that, they will have two brain scan sessions. For one scan, they will not smoke for 24 hours. For the other scan, they will smoke like normal. During each scan, they will feel heat pain and rate how it feels. Before and after each scan, they will answer questions about cravings, withdrawal, mood, and pain. There will be at least 2 days between the two scan sessions.
Who Can Participate?
Eligibility
To join this study, people in the chronic pain group must have low back pain that is not caused by cancer, lasting at least 3 months, and causing problems with daily life rated 4 out of 10 or higher. People in the non-pain group must not have had chronic pain in the past 5 years. Everyone must be between 21 and 65 years old, smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day for more than 2 years, and have a breath test showing smoking. They also need to score well on a reading test and have a smartphone that can run the study app.
Age Range
21-65
Sex/Genders
Male (cisgender)
Female (cisgender)
Non-binary or gender fluid
Transgender male
Transgender female
Looking for Healthy Participants
Yes
What is Involved?
Description
People who have long-lasting pain are about twice as likely to smoke as people without pain. It is harder for them to quit smoking because stopping smoking can make pain feel worse. Scientists do not fully understand why this happens or how it affects quitting. This study will look at how stopping smoking changes pain and the brain. Adults who smoke every day, some with pain and some without, will have two brain scans. One scan will be after smoking normally, and the other after not smoking for 24 hours. During the scans, they will feel different levels of heat and rate their pain. After that, they will try not to smoke for one week while researchers check their pain and cravings. The goal is to learn how pain and brain changes during withdrawal affect quitting. This could help create better treatments to help people stop smoking.
Locations
Duke University Hospital
Visit Timing
Weekdays
Compensation
Yes
Spanish Materials Available
No
Study Details
Full Title
Neural correlates and behavioral impact of withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia among people who smoke with and without chronic pain
Study Website
Principal Investigator
Maggie
Sweitzer
Protocol Number
PRO00117759
NCT ID
NCT06983678
Phase
N/A
Enrollment Status
Open to Enrollment