Neural Correlates and Behavioral Impact of Withdrawal-induced Hyperalgesia Among People Who Smoke… (NCT06983678) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Neural Correlates and Behavioral Impact of Withdrawal-induced Hyperalgesia Among People Who Smoke With and Without Chronic Pain
United States132 participantsStarted 2025-11-04
Plain-language 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.
Who can participate
Age range
21 Years – 65 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
. History of chronic non-cancer low back pain with duration ≥ 6 months OR no history of chronic pain;
. age 21-65;
. smoking of at least 10 cig/day for \> 2 years;
. have an iPhone or Android smartphone capable of running the EMA software
Exclusion criteria
. pain complaint specifically due to cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or complex regional pain syndrome;
. actively taking steps to quit smoking;
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
Pain intensity ratings to high heat vs neutral temperatures
Timeframe: Measured at each fMRI session (up to 1.5 hours)
2
Activation of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG)
Timeframe: Measured at each fMRI session (up to 1.5 hours)
3
Resting state functional connectivity with the IFG
Timeframe: Measured at each fMRI session (up to 1.5 hours)
4
Time to lapse
Timeframe: Measured daily during the 1-week abstinence test
5
Daily pain ratings
Timeframe: Measured with daily EMA prompts for 10 days
6
Daily withdrawal symptoms
Timeframe: Measured with daily EMA prompts for 10 days
7
Fluctuations in pain ratings vs smoking urge
Timeframe: Measured 5 times per day with random EMA prompts for 10 days