NCT02261012

Examination of the Pathophysiologic Mechanisms of CRPS by Using QST, CPM, RIC, and Heart Rate Variability QST

Examination of the Pathological Mechanism of the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Upper Limb in Comparison to Patients With Painful Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Healthy Subjects - an Explorative Clinical Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 62 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ruhr University of Bochum · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims for a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This will be done by testing the quantitative sensory testing, the remote ischemic conditioning, the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and the analysis of the heart-rate variability in patients with CRPS and a control-group. We hypothesize decreased conditioned pain modulation, less effects of remote ischemic conditioning and an affection of the heart-rate variability in patients with CPRS.

Detailed description

CRPS is an illness which (seriously) affects patients in their daily life activity. The fact that the pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood yet makes it hard to treat these patients in the right manner. Possible patho-mechanisms might be microvascular changes and dysfunctions of the inhibitory descending pain system. Furthermore, recent studies showed that CRPS patients have macrovascular changes and a lower blood level of NO on the affected side. This indicates a NO mediated perfusion dysfunction. Aim of this study is to examine the pathophysiological mechanism of CRPS in relation to healthy subjects and patients with a different type of pain syndrome (carpal tunnel syndrome) on the upper limb. The investigators try to get a better understanding of the changes in the pain inhibitory system and micro- and macrocirculating blood-systems, as well as of the autonomic system of CRPS-patients.

Conditions

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Neuralgia

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-04-01
• Primary completion: 2015-04-01
• Completion: 2015-08-01
• First posted: 2014-10-09
• Last updated: 2016-02-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany