Clinical Research Directory

Applying a Small Procedure Prior to Injection/Vaccination Reduces Pain in Children

In this proposed study, the investigators aim to apply a minor procedure prior to a treatment that induces pain (e.g., injection/vaccination) to help manage pediatric pain. The proposed study builds on the well-known placebo effect, which occurs when individuals experience improvements in condition (e.g., pain relief) after using an inert substance (e.g., a placebo analgesic). This effect is primarily attributed to expectations about the placebo's effectiveness. The investigators extend this line of research by demonstrating that, under certain circumstances, merely possessing a placebo can also lead to pain relief. This possession-based placebo analgesic effect arises from a sense of ownership, which enhances the expectation that the owned placebo can provide benefits to the self. This study expands the scope of the possession-based placebo effect by examining its applicability in a real-life situation - the investigators expect that providing children with ownership of a first-aid bandage before vaccination will improve the overall pain experience. Focusing on children's pain is critical for several reasons. First, pain is a common experience for children, who are often less mature and independent than adults in assessing and managing it. This renders children a vulnerable population requiring improved pain management interventions. Unfortunately, pediatric pain recognition and treatment are still inadequate. Second, most past placebo analgesic studies have focused on adults, leading to significant knowledge gaps regarding implications for pediatric care. This knowledge gap is attributed to historical ethical and legal ambiguities that hindered randomized controlled trials involving children, resulting in exclusion from research. Third, research targeting children is essential to understand these unique circumstances and deliver appropriate benefits. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration have emphasized the need to broaden pediatric research participation. A recent motion by the Hong Kong Legislative Council on "Promoting the Development of Children's Healthcare Services" further highlights this commitment. Finally, age-related factors may influence individuals' pain outcomes or responses. Children are more susceptible to the placebo effect than adults; this may be due to the stronger influence of parental (compared to professional) expectations on pediatric pain perceptions. Thus, caution is needed when generalizing adult findings to children. Investigating pain in children is crucial for developing tailored interventions for the pediatric population. This project will allow healthcare practitioners and physicians to learn about the possibility of tailoring, forming, or optimizing medical intervention strategies to enhance positive pain outcomes and novel pain management. For instance, practitioners, clinicians, and dentists could consider tailoring therapeutic interactions and treatments by incorporating appropriate procedures to reduce undesired negative pain outcomes.

PURSUIT: A Technologically Augmented School-based Program to Improve Child Coping and Prevent Substance Use.

The study investigators aim to test an online support platform for Michigan youth aged 8-18 years enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school and their parent/caregiver. The online support platform will be hosted on the Computerized Intervention Authoring System (CIAS) 3.0 and will provide evidence-based cognitive behavioral coping skills for physical (pain) and mental (stress, mood) health symptoms, with additional substance use prevention content for youth aged 12 and older. Evaluations will occur at baseline and then a post assessment approximately 8 weeks later.

Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Postoperative Pain After Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery

This study aims to predict pain after surgery in children of ages 1 to 3 years by using computer programming (machine learning). Participant children will be observed before, during, and after surgery. Before surgery, the investigators will record each child's age, sex, weight, and the parent's level of anxiety using a short questionnaire (STAI: State Trait Anxiety Inventory). During surgery, the investigators will note the type of the surgery, how long it takes, and the medication given for pain relief. After surgery, the child's pain will be checked using the FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale, which assesses the child's face, legs, activity, crying, and how easy they are to comfort. For each assesment the children will be given points from 0 to 2. Pain will be measured 2 times. Firstly when the child reaches to the postoperative recovery room after they are monitorized. Secondly after 30 minutes spending in recovery room. At both times the pain scores and vital signs (pulse pressure and saturation) will be noted. No additional medication or intervention will be done throughout the study. All information will be stored without names or personal details. A computer model will study 80% of the data and then test itself on the remaining 20% of the collected data to see how well it can predict pain.

Emotional Bodymaps in Pediatric Pain Patients and Their Parents.

The aims of this study are to find out how pain may alter the experience of emotions in the body in pediatric pain patients and how how their parent feel the emotions in their bodies. We are also interested how this possible effect is mediated by the duration and location of pain, mood changes or with the experience of bullying.

'My Life is Music' Group Therapy Model - a Feasibility Study for Adolescents With Persistent Pain

The aim of this multi-method feasibility study is to learn if a group therapy model using music can be applied in the treatment of adolescents with persistent pain. We are interested how the patients find participating in the group therapy as part of their rehabilitation and if the patient´s experience of music changes during the therapy process.