Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Biological and Clinical Underpinnings of Postoperative Pain - Mastectomy

86 participantsStarted 2026-09-01

Plain-language summary

Persistent pain after mastectomy remains a significant clinical challenge that can delay recovery, reduce quality of life, and increase long-term healthcare burden. The goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the biological and clinical factors that influence pain severity after mastectomy and contribute to the transition from acute to chronic postoperative pain. Guided by a biopsychosocial framework, this research will address the following aims: 1. We will use standardized experimental pain testing before surgery to evaluate how patients respond to different types of controlled sensory stimuli. These responses may help predict who is more likely to experience severe or prolonged pain after surgery. 2. We will analyze blood samples collected before and after surgery to measure markers of inflammation and other biological responses. These data will help us explore how the body's immune and hormonal systems relate to pain severity in both the short- and longer-term recovery phases. 3. We will assess psychological and clinical factors, such as emotional health, coping style, household income, and life stressors, to understand how they contribute to patients' pain experiences throughout recovery. 4. We will examine whether routinely collected demographic and clinical characteristics can help identify patients at greater risk of experiencing higher levels of pain after surgery. This approach will allow us to better understand which patients may benefit from more tailored perioperative pain management strategies.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 89 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: * Participants scheduled for breast surgery/mastectomy ; 2) age between 18-65; 3) understanding of verbal and written English. Exclusion Criteria: * 1\) concurrent medical conditions that could confound the interpretation of the data; 2) HIV positive diagnosis; 3) cardiovascular or pulmonary disease; 4) systemic rheumatoid disease; 5) uncontrolled hypertension (i.e. SBP/DBP of \> 150/95); 6) current illness accompanied by fever (body temperature \>38 °C); 7) any other chronic pain condition; 8) conditions resulting in altered nerve sensation; 9) hospitalization due to psychiatric illness within the last 6 months; 10) poorly controlled diabetes; 11) history of stroke; 12) history of seizures; 13) circulatory disorders such AS Raynauds' disease 14) history of drug or alcohol abuse.

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

Chronic Pain after Mastectomy (Using Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form)

Timeframe: 12 weeks after surgery

Acute Pain after Surgery (using Brief Pain Inventory- Short Form)

Timeframe: 48 hours after surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07271589

SponsorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2028-08-31

Contact for this trial

Demario S. Overstreet, Ph.D.

3344130112 demariooverstreet@uabmc.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Mastectomy trials