ARPA-H Smart Band-Aid to Measure Chronic Pain in Women

Launched by NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · May 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The ARPA-H Smart Band-Aid trial is studying a new way to measure chronic pain in women using a special patch called the A-Band, which is worn on the arm, and a smartwatch. This trial aims to see how well these devices can track pain levels compared to what women with chronic pain report themselves. Researchers also want to understand how different factors, like age or health history, might affect pain measurement.

To join the study, you need to be a woman aged 18 or older, either with a chronic pain condition like fibromyalgia or lower back pain, or a healthy woman with no history of chronic pain. Participants will be involved in the study for about eight days, attending 2-3 visits at a clinical center, wearing the Smart Band-Aid and smartwatch, completing questionnaires about their health and pain, and providing saliva samples and blood samples. This research is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights into chronic pain management.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• For chronic pain group:
• • Female, 18 years or older.
• • Diagnosis of chronic pain condition (e.g., fibromyalgia, chronic lower back pain) as determined by the Principal Investigator.
• • Ability to provide informed consent.
• For healthy controls:
• • Female, 18 years or older.
• • No history of chronic pain.
• • No significant or poorly controlled medical conditions as determined by the Principal Investigator and exclusion criteria.
• • No significant active, poorly controlled psychological conditions as determined by the Principal Investigator and exclusion criteria.
• • Ability to provide informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria (both groups):
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• • Substance abuse or psychiatric disorders that interfere with study participation.
• • Major medical conditions (such as severe cardiovascular, neurological, cancer or autoimmune diseases) or psychological conditions (e.g., active, poorly-controlled depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, substance use disorder) that interfere with study participation.
• • Possibility of secondary financial gain from participation
• • Interventional pain treatment(s) within 6 weeks of baseline (injection, epidural, etc.)
• • Current opioid usage or usage within 2 weeks of baseline