Neural Correlates and Behavioral Impact of Withdrawal-induced Hyperalgesia Among People Who Smoke With and Without Chronic Pain
Duke University
Summary
Individuals with chronic pain are more likely to smoke cigarettes and have more difficulty quitting smoking than the general population, in part because withdrawal from smoking can lead to temporary increases in pain. This research will examine how smoking withdrawal changes the way the brain processes pain, and whether these withdrawal-related changes interfere with the ability to stop smoking. The results of this research will provide important information that can be used to guide the development of interventions to help people with chronic pain who smoke cigarettes to quit smoking and improve their health.
Description
Eligible participants will complete an initial in-person screening session in which eligibility is confirmed and baseline pain and smoking measures are collected, followed by a sensory testing and training session, in which participants are introduced to the mock MRI scanner and familiarized with the thermal pain stimulation and psychophysiological rating procedures. Participants will then complete two fMRI sessions using a within-subjects, crossover design, with one scan following 24-hrs abstinence from smoking, and the other following smoking as usual. Both fMRI sessions will be identical ot…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. History of chronic non-cancer low back pain with duration ≥ 6 months OR no history of chronic pain; 2. age 21-65; 3. smoking of at least 10 cig/day for \> 2 years; 4. have an iPhone or Android smartphone capable of running the EMA software Exclusion Criteria: 1. pain complaint specifically due to cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or complex regional pain syndrome; 2. actively taking steps to quit smoking; 3. inability to attend all required experimental sessions; 4. significant health problems, such as chronic hypertension, emphysema, seizure disorder, history of signific…
Interventions
- BehavioralSmoking as usual fMRI session
Participants in this condition will continue smoking as usual prior to the fMRI session
- BehavioralAbstinent fMRI session
Participants in this condition will be asked to abstain from smoking or using any other tobacco products for 24 hours prior to the fMRI session
Location
- Duke North PavilionDurham, North Carolina