Brain MRI for Knee OA

Launched by TORONTO REHABILITATION INSTITUTE · Aug 3, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how our brains process pain in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), a condition that affects millions worldwide and can cause significant discomfort and loss of mobility. Researchers will use advanced brain imaging techniques to see if certain brain areas are linked to the challenging pain experiences that many OA patients face. The goal is to gain better insights into chronic pain, which could lead to new treatment options that target the brain rather than just the knee itself.

To be eligible for this study, participants should have a confirmed diagnosis of knee OA and experience chronic pain related to this condition for at least three months. The study is looking for individuals between the ages of 65 and 74, as well as those aged 29 to 219, who can understand and speak English. Participants will undergo brain imaging and may be part of different groups based on their pain experiences. It's important to note that some health conditions or devices, like a pacemaker or joint replacement, may prevent someone from joining the study. Overall, this research aims to deepen our understanding of chronic pain and improve future treatment approaches.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Clinical diagnosis and radiographic evidence of knee OA (by rheumatologist).
• • 2. For the two experimental groups (Groups OA-Knee and OA-Knee+Body), participants must have experienced chronic pain related to their knee OA (\>3 months) on most days of each month.
• 3. Participants in Group OA-Knee+Body must:
• • Exhibit chronic knee pain and widespread bodily pain at \>3 Michigan Body Map regions.
• • Meet the Kosek criteria for nociplastic pain: i) the duration/regionality/type of pain, ii) history of hypersensitivities, iii) comorbidity identification, and iv) evoked pain hypersensitivity \[19\]
• • 4. Participants must be able to speak and understand English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Unable to provide consent (e.g., poor English language skills, etc.)
• • 2. History of liver or kidney disease
• 3. MRI contraindications:
• • Pacemaker
• • Stent
• • Joint prothesis
• • Implanted devices
• • Claustrophobia
• • Pregnant
• • Permanent piercings
• • 4. Chronic/abusive use of alcohol and/or illicit drugs
• • 5. Previous clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a multisite pain disorder, a systemic inflammatory disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, myopathy), depression, post-traumatic stress disorder
• • 6. Previous stroke or moderate/severe traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or intracranial hemorrhage
• • 7. Use of psychotropic medications
• • 8. Control subjects (Group OA-PF) also cannot have a history of chronic pain or knee pain caused by osteoporosis or osteoarthritis
• • 9. Total knee replacement
• • 10. Pregnant or chance of being pregnant