A Research Study to Examine Cutaneous Allodynia and Cluster Headache (NCT00329836) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
A Research Study to Examine Cutaneous Allodynia and Cluster Headache
United States41 participantsStarted 2006-08
Plain-language summary
This is a research study examining cutaneous allodynia and cluster headaches. Cutaneous allodynia means the feeling of pain or unpleasant sensation when normally non-painful stimuli (e.g. light touch) are applied to the skin. Many studies have been performed looking at the presence of cutaneous allodynia in patients with migraines; however, few studies have examined it in cluster headache patients. There is still much to be learned about the brain and how it functions if the investigators are to understand the underlying causes of cluster headache. It is important to explore cutaneous allodynia in cluster headache as it may help guide physicians with the care of these individuals. Sixty patients will be screened for this study. Thomas Jefferson University is the only center enrolling patients in this research study.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Male and female patients aged 18-75, inclusive
* Diagnosis of cluster headache, episodic or chronic.
* Patients with episodic CH can be either in active cluster period or not.
* Ability to read and understand an informed consent form, where the study protocol is described.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with abnormal sensory findings on examination, or any known neurological disease that may affect skin sensation (peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, etc).
* Patients who are cognitively impaired, as determined by investigator
* Patients with significant psychiatric disorder that may affect their understanding of the study protocol and/or their cooperation with the investigators.
* Patients who had taken an acute pain medication within 24 hours prior to allodynia testing.
* Patients with skin diseases that may cause abnormal skin sensation.
* Patients who had been treated with a nerve block in the 4 week period prior to allodynia testing
* Patients who had been treated with Botulinum neurotoxin within the 4 month period prior to allodynia testing
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Prevalence of Allodynia in Subjects With Cluster Headache
Timeframe: Allodynia was assessed at the screening visit