RecruitingNCT07281651

Investigating the Role of Central Pain Hypersensitivity in Skeletal Muscle Neural Drive

Investigating the Role of Central Pain Hypersensitivity in Skeletal Muscle Neural Drive, in People With Knee Pain, and in People With Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Pain-Neural Drive)


Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrollment

135 participants

Start Date

Nov 24, 2025

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Summary

Background: pain lasting for 12 weeks or beyond, which is often referred to as chronic pain, is common for people living with musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. arthritis, low back pain and fibromyalgia). Pain is often not directly related to the degree of muscle or joint damage. Adaptations of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) often occur in chronic musculoskeletal conditions and can influence how we feel pain (central pain hypersensitivity). Pain can impact on muscle activity and movement. Muscle activity is also governed by nerve signals from the central nervous system (neural drive). The goal of this cross-sectional observational study is to investigate whether chronic musculoskeletal pain is associated with altered nerve signalling (neural drive) to skeletal muscles in adults 40 years or over with chronic knee pain, fibromyalgia and healthy pain free volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are:- * Is central pain hypersensitivity associated with altered nerve signalling to skeletal muscles in adults 40 years or over with chronic pain (knee pain and for fibromyalgia) as well as healthy volunteers? * Is altered nerve signalling to skeletal muscles associated with physical function and disability? Participants will be asked to:- * Have sensory testing to determine how they feel pain * Complete static leg and arm muscle contractions with electrodes on the skin to measure muscle electrical activity * Complete questionnaires * Perform a short set of mobility tasks including walking, rising from a chair and balancing.


Eligibility

Min Age: 40 Years

Inclusion Criteria7

  • Knee pain group
  • History of knee pain with an intensity level of 4 out of 10 or greater (where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable) for most days in the past 3 months
  • Fibromyalgia group
  • Fibromyalgia diagnosis (participant self-reporting a previous diagnosis by a clinician)
  • Pain with an intensity level of 4 out of 10 or greater (where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable) for most days in the past 3 months
  • Control group
  • \- Pain free individuals without known osteoarthritis

Exclusion Criteria8

  • BMI\>35
  • Body weight of 250kg or higher
  • Pregnancy (women)
  • Inability to give consent
  • Inability to meet the requirements of clinical assessment
  • Performed strenuous physical exercise in the past 24 hours prior to testing
  • Consumed alcohol on day of testing
  • Consumed caffeine on day of testing

Interventions

OTHERCentral Pain Hypersensitivity

No intervention carried out


Locations(1)

University of Nottingham Graduate Entry Medicine and Health, Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby

Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom

View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.

Visit

NCT07281651


Related Trials