Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Preceding Pain and Development of Additional Pain in Patients With CRPS

This research study aims to understand Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) better. CRPS is a condition that causes a lot of pain and can greatly affect someone's daily life. Even though we know more about CRPS than before, there are still many questions. This study is specifically looking into whether people with CRPS might have had other long-term pains before their CRPS started, or developed them afterwards. Researchers will use questionnaires to gather information from a large number of people who have been diagnosed with CRPS and treated at The Walton Centre. By collecting this information, they hope to find important patterns and links that could help improve how we understand and eventually treat CRPS in the future.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

500

Start

30 Oct 2024

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2026

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

What is this study about?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a very challenging condition that causes severe pain and can really impact someone's life. While we've made some progress in understanding what CRPS is and how it affects people, there's still a lot we don't know. Research like this is really important because it helps doctors and scientists learn more about illnesses and develop new ways to help people.

This particular study wants to understand CRPS better, focusing on whether there are connections between CRPS and other ongoing pains. For example, some earlier research suggested that people might have had pain in the same area *before* their CRPS started. This study will look at these kinds of links more closely, using a questionnaire to gather information from a large group of patients.

By asking questions about their CRPS, any other pains they've had (and when they started), and other symptoms like problems with thinking or sleeping, the researchers hope to find important patterns. These findings could help us understand how CRPS develops, why some people might experience other widespread pains alongside it, and ultimately, could lead to better ways to help people living with CRPS.

Key takeaways

This study explores links between CRPS and other long-term pains.
It uses questionnaires to collect patient information.
Participation involves completing one questionnaire from home.
It helps researchers understand CRPS better for future care.
No new treatments are given, and no clinic visits are needed.
Your privacy is protected, and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are 18 years old or older. You also need to have received a confirmed diagnosis of CRPS.

Another important requirement is that you must have been seen as a new patient by Professor Goebel or another Pain Consultant at The Walton Centre sometime between 2007 and 2023. This means your information would already be part of The Walton Centre's patient registry.

There are no specific reasons that would stop you from taking part, other than being under 18 years old. If you meet these points, your past clinic letters might have been looked at for a previous study, but that won't stop you from being included in this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am 18 years old or older.
I have a confirmed diagnosis of CRPS.
I was seen as a new patient by a Pain Consultant at The Walton Centre between 2007 and 2023.
My medical details are already in The Walton Centre's patient records.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are eligible and agree to take part in this study, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire. This questionnaire will ask about your CRPS diagnosis, any other pain you have experienced (including when it started and what it felt like), and other symptoms such as issues with memory or concentration, or trouble sleeping. You will not need to visit a clinic for this study, and you will not be given any new medications or treatments. There are no follow-up appointments required. The study is completed once you have filled out and returned the questionnaire.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in research always has a balance of potential benefits and risks. For this study, you won't personally receive any direct medical benefits. However, the information you provide could be very valuable for future understanding of CRPS, potentially helping to improve care for others living with the condition. The main risk is that answering questions about your pain might bring up uncomfortable memories or feelings, but you can always skip questions you don't want to answer. Your information will be kept confidential. Remember, taking part is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and without it affecting your care.

Locations (1)

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Liverpool, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to understand if there are links between CRPS and other ongoing pains, to learn more about how CRPS develops.

Do I need to visit the hospital to take part?

No, you do not need to visit the hospital. This study uses a questionnaire that you can complete at home.

Will this study offer me new treatment?

No, this study is about gathering information through questionnaires, not about trying new treatments. It's for research purposes only.

Is my personal information kept private?

Yes, all your information will be kept confidential and handled securely.

What if I change my mind after joining?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.