Actively Recruiting
Neurofeedback for Nociplastic Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Led by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde · Updated on 2025-06-15
16
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Lead Sponsor
U
University of Glasgow
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating neurofeedback as a treatment for nociplastic pain, a type of persistent pain experienced by people with rheumatoid arthritis even after inflammation is treated. This study particularly focuses on the fibromyalgia-like symptoms of this pain, such as fatigue and sleep disturbance, which currently have limited effective therapies. The research aims to understand how neurofeedback, a noninvasive technique that helps individuals control brain activity, affects these symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Participants will undergo a schedule that includes a one-week diary of pain, sleep, and fatigue before beginning treatment. They will then attend 10 neurofeedback sessions over about five weeks, each lasting 30 minutes with EEG monitoring before and after. The neurofeedback uses a graphical interface to guide participants in adjusting brain wave activity. Baseline EEG recordings and quantitative sensory testing will be done before and after the intervention. A remote follow-up interview will be conducted about one month after the last session. During the study, participants will complete various questionnaires assessing pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and sleep, as well as mental strategies used during neurofeedback. EEG and sensory tests will measure brain activity and pain sensitivity. Researchers will monitor participants’ pain levels using a visual analog scale and other scales over several weeks. The entire participation lasts approximately 11 to 13 weeks, including all assessments and follow-up. Safety and any adverse effects will also be tracked throughout the study.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Neurofeedback for Nociplastic Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis (NECTAR)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Fulfilment of the ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Fulfilment of the American College of Rheumatology criteria for chronic widespread pain
- Stable disease with swollen joint count of 1 or less and CRP of 10 or less
- Normal or corrected vision and hearing
- Right-handed
- Pain intensity of 4 or higher on the Visual Numerical Scale (0 to 10)
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to understand the task or provide written informed consent
- Unable to understand English
- Major neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson's Disease, or Alzheimer's Disease
- Medical or psychiatric conditions that would prevent study participation (e.g., psychosis, suicidal ideation)
- Currently under active pain management with changing medications or other non-pharmacological pain treatments
- Participation in other interventional experimental studies
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day (Visit 1)
Participants complete baseline EEG recordings, Quantitative Sensory Testing, questionnaires, and research assessments to establish their starting health status.
1 visit (in-person, lasting 4-5 hours)
Duration - 5 weeks
Participants undergo 10 neurofeedback training sessions over 5 weeks, with EEG setup, intervention, and questionnaires collected after each session.
10 visits (in-person), approximately 60-70 minutes each
Duration - 1 day (Visit 12), within 7 (±5) days after last treatment
Participants complete post-intervention EEG recordings, Quantitative Sensory Testing, questionnaires, and research assessments to evaluate response to treatment.
1 visit (in-person, lasting 4-5 hours)
Duration - 10 minutes (Visit 13), approximately 4 weeks after post-intervention assessment
Participants take part in a remote semi-structured interview roughly one month after the last intervention to discuss pain, sleep, fatigue, and any adverse effects.
1 remote visit (phone interview)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Clinical Research Facility (CRF), Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, G51 4LS
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Aleksandra Vuckovic, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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