Purpose

Studying the effects of Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) on measures of pain, craving, and anxiety in a complex patient population.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  1. Males and females aged 18-65 years 2. Current diagnosis of Chronic Back Pain as defined by pain duration of at least three months, with back pain being an ongoing problem for at least half the days of the last six months. 3. Have evidence of central sensitization (CS) as measured by the Widespread Pain/Symptom Severity Index (WPSSI) with a score of Widespread Pain Index (WPI) ≥ 7 and Symptom Severity (SS) ≥ 5 or WPI = 3-6 and SS ≥ 9. 4. Meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for current opiate use disorder as diagnosed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5. 5. Be in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) including buprenorphine or methadone. 6. Meet the DSM-5 criteria for a current anxiety disorder: generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or social anxiety disorder as diagnosed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Evidence of neuropathic pain 2. Previous spine surgery 3. Current substance use disorder other than OUD or tobacco use disorder 4. Current DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder 5. Chronic Pain Conditions other than chronic back pain 6. Daily opiate use other than buprenorphine/methadone for OUD/pain control 7. Pregnant or breastfeeding 8. History of head injury, seizures, neurologic disorders including cerebrovascular disease, stroke, brain surgery, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, or neurodegenerative diseases 9. History of metastasizing cancers, inflammatory disorder (rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, scleroderma, lupus or polymyositis), unintended weight loss of 20 pounds or more in the last year, or cauda equina syndrome 10. Ferromagnetic implants or other contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 11. Evidence of arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm, infarct, meningioma, parenchymal brain tumor or evidence of neurodegenerative processes and/or white matter lesions greater than that expected for age as determined by the study neuroradiologist 12. Unstable medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, unstable angina, poorly controlled arrhythmia active system infection end stage renal disease

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
None (Open Label)
Masking Description
Sham trials will be utilized within subject. All subjects will receive sham and ultrasound conditions.

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Pain, Craving, and Anxiety measures
Multi visit - LIFU/Sham. Participants will complete pain, craving, and anxiety measures pre and post intervention.
  • Device: Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
    A noninvasive brain stimulation device using low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) - ultrasound will be used to test whether noninvasive brain stimulation can effect pain, craving, and anxiety.
  • Device: Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound - sham
    A sham condition that will mimic the application of LIFU without actually administering any ultrasound to the brain.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Study Contact

Jessica Florig, MPH
540-526-2261
jnw@vtc.vt.edu

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.