Actively Recruiting
Pain and Itch Neuromodulation: Effects of Offset Analgesia, Placebo, and Nocebo and Topographical Distribution of Itch and Pain Receptors
Led by Aalborg University · Updated on 2025-10-01
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
104 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how itch and pain receptors are distributed on the face and how different substances affect these sensations. The study focuses on healthy adults aged 18 to 60 and evaluates responses to various stimuli including histamine, cowhage, capsaicin, and placebo patches. The goal is to understand how these substances influence perception of itch and pain and to assess related personality traits like depression, anxiety, and stress. The experiment involves three sessions over three consecutive days. In the first session, areas on the face are marked and tested for blood flow and sensitivity to pressure, pinprick, and brush strokes. In the second session, histamine is applied to one side of the face and cowhage spicules to the other, followed by the same tests. The third session repeats the tests with capsaicin patches on one side and placebo patches on the other. Participants fill out questionnaires about their perception of itch and pain and personality traits during all sessions. Researchers measure pain and itch using a computerized scale before and after interventions. They also assess blood flow, sensitivity thresholds, and psychological scales related to pain and itch. The study includes safety monitoring and takes place over three consecutive days with several assessments at baseline and after treatments.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Topographical Distribution of Itch and Pain Receptors
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy men and women
- Aged 18 to 60 years
- Speak and understand English
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Drug addiction including cannabis, opioids, or other drugs
- History of neurological, immunological, musculoskeletal, cardiac, or psychiatric disorders that may affect results
- Moles, wounds, scars, or tattoos in the treatment area
- Current use of antihistamines or painkillers
- Skin diseases
- Alcohol or painkiller use 24 hours before study days and between them
- Acute or chronic pain and itch
- Participation in other trials within 1 week (4 weeks for pharmaceutical studies)
- Contraindications to capsaicin including intolerance to chili or burns/wounds at application site
- Inability to cooperate with study requirements
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
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
Participants receive applications of histamine, cowhage spicules, capsaicin 8% patches, and placebo patches on specified skin areas to study pain and itch responses.
1 in-person visit for intervention and assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Aalborg University
Gistrup, Aalborg, Denmark, 9260
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Silvia Lo Vecchio
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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