Fibromyalgia, Neuropathic Pain, Working Memory Deficits
Conditions
Keywords
Pain, Working memory
Brief summary
The goal of this project is to investigate and improve executive control function in two distinct pain conditions, namely neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia (FM). It is hypothesized that there is a significant difference in the executive control function of patients with neuropathic pain and FM pain. It is also hypothesized that all participants with poor executive control functioning will report significant improvements in pain intensity, functioning and cognitive complaints following cognitive training. The study tests and influence the working memory concepts of inhibition, updating and flexibility through an experimental, cross-over treatment design. To perform the experiment, we will recruit 160 participants (80 with neuropathic pain and 80 with FM) from the Departments of pain management and research at St Olav's University Hospital and Oslo University Hospital (OUS). The proposed design will be able to determine whether or not executive control, processing speed and memory function differs in two distinct populations of pain patients. Moreover, whether impairments are amended by computerized training.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWorking Memory Training
Training mental flexibility
BEHAVIORALInternet use
Used as control for time spent on computer
Sponsors
Oslo University Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 69 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia or neuropathic pain * Confirmed objective cognitive impairments on the CANTAB battery compared to IQ control
Exclusion criteria
* Mania, suicidal ideation and/or active psychosis * No objective cognitive impairments * Personality disorders * Pregnancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Objective neuropsychological tests | 36 weeks | CANTAB test battery |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stress regulation | 36 weeks | Hair cortisol |
| Symptoms of depression | 36 weeks | Hopkins symptom checklist |
| Sleep duration, quality and awakening | 36 weeks | Actigraphy |
| Pain intensity | 36 weeks | VAS scale |
| Medication use | 36 weeks | Registered analgetic usage |
| Self-reported memory and concentration impairments | 36 weeks | Everyday Memory Questionnaire |
| Self-reported cognitive intrusion | 36 weeks | Questionnaire |
| Quality of life | 36 weeks | EQ-5D |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed