Mental Representation Techniques for the Treatment of Parkinson´s Disease-related Pain

NCT04651478 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: PainPD-Imagine
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pain is an under-reported but prevalent symptom in Parkinson´s Disease (PD), impacting patients' quality of life. Both pain and PD conditions cause cortical excitability reduction, but mental representations techniques are thought to be able to counteract it, resulting also effective in chronic pain conditions. The investigators of the present project aim to evaluate the efficacy of a novel mental representation protocol in the management of pain in PD patients during the ON state. The investigators hypothesize that Action Observation (AO) and Motor Imagery (MI) training through a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) using Virtual Reality (AO+MI-BCI) can improve clinical pain and its central processing features.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Pain

Keywords

Parkinson Disease; Pain; Action Observation; Motor Imagery; Virtual Reality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (10)

• Change in King´s Parkinson´s Disease Pain Scale score

  Parkinson´s Disease specific scale that evaluates the localization, frequency, and intensity of pain. It has 14 items distributed in 7 domains: 1. Musculoskeletal Pain; 2. Chronic Pain; 3. Fluctuation-related Pain; 4. Nocturnal Pain; 5. Oro-facial Pain; 6. Discoloration, Oedema/Swelling Pain; 7. Radicular Pain. Each item is scored by severity (0, none to 3, very severe) multiplied by frequency (0, never to 4, all the time) resulting in a subscore of 0 to 12, the sum of which gives the total score with a theoretical range from 0 to 168, with higher scores indicating more severity and frequency of pain.

  From Baseline at 2 weeks

• Change in King´s Parkinson´s Disease Pain Scale score

  Parkinson´s Disease specific scale that evaluates the localization, frequency, and intensity of pain. It has 14 items distributed in 7 domains: 1. Musculoskeletal Pain; 2. Chronic Pain; 3. Fluctuation-related Pain; 4. Nocturnal Pain; 5. Oro-facial Pain; 6. Discoloration, Oedema/Swelling Pain; 7. Radicular Pain. Each item is scored by severity (0, none to 3, very severe) multiplied by frequency (0, never to 4, all the time) resulting in a subscore of 0 to 12, the sum of which gives the total score with a theoretical range from 0 to 168, with higher scores indicating more severity and frequency of pain.

  From Baseline at 1 month

• Change in Brief Pain Inventory score

  It contains 15 items, including 2 multi-item scales to measure the intensity of pain and its impact on the function and welfare of patients. It also presents open questions to assess the localization of pain and the treatment used for its management, just as its effectiveness. Scores oscillate from 0 to 110, with higher scores indicating more pain and more impact on function and welfare of patients.

  From Baseline at 2 weeks

• Change in Brief Pain Inventory score

  It contains 15 items, including 2 multi-item scales to measure the intensity of pain and its impact on the function and welfare of patients. It also presents open questions to assess the localization of pain and the treatment used for its management, just as its effectiveness. Scores oscillate from 0 to 110, with higher scores indicating more pain and more impact on function and welfare of patients.

  From Baseline at 1 month

• Change in Conditioned Pain Modulation

  Assesses the descending pain modulatory system. The Pain Pressure Threshold will be assessed in the middle of the distal phalanx of the thumb with ta handheld algometer, corresponding to the first test stimulus. Afterward, the patient will immerse the contrary hand up to the wrist into stirred ice-cold water (0-4º) maintaining it for 3 minutes, corresponding to the conditioning stimulus. If the pain is unbearable before the 3 minutes, the patient will be able to remove his/her hand. Immediately after removing the hand, a second Pain Pressure Threshold measure will be performed in the same place as the first one, corresponding to the second test stimulus. After 1-minute rest, a third Pain Pressure Threshold will be measured to assess the Conditioned Pain Modulation residual functioning.

  From Baseline at 2 weeks

• Change in Conditioned Pain Modulation

  Assesses the descending pain modulatory system. The Pain Pressure Threshold will be assessed in the middle of the distal phalanx of the thumb with ta handheld algometer, corresponding to the first test stimulus. Afterward, the patient will immerse the contrary hand up to the wrist into stirred ice-cold water (0-4º) maintaining it for 3 minutes, corresponding to the conditioning stimulus. If the pain is unbearable before the 3 minutes, the patient will be able to remove his/her hand. Immediately after removing the hand, a second Pain Pressure Threshold measure will be performed in the same place as the first one, corresponding to the second test stimulus. After 1-minute rest, a third Pain Pressure Threshold will be measured to assess the Conditioned Pain Modulation residual functioning.

  From Baseline at 1 month

• Change in Temporal Summation

  Represents excitatory modulation processes. It will be generated through the application of 10 pulses of the handheld pressure algometer over the middle of the distal phalanx of the thumb with the intensity of the Pain Pressure Threshold, previously calculated. In each pulse, pressure intensity will be increasing at a rate of 2 kg/s over the previously determined Pain Pressure Threshold intensity, leaving an interstimulus interval of one second according to the optimal method reported for inducing Temporal Summation with pressure pain. Before the first pressure pulse, subjects were taught to use a verbal numeric pain rating scale to rate the pain intensity of the first, fifth, and 10th pressure pulses. The verbal numeric pain rating scale ranged from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("the worst possible pain").

  From Baseline at 2 weeks

• Change in Temporal Summation

  Represents excitatory modulation processes. It will be generated through the application of 10 pulses of the handheld pressure algometer over the middle of the distal phalanx of the thumb with the intensity of the Pain Pressure Threshold, previously calculated. In each pulse, pressure intensity will be increasing at a rate of 2 kg/s over the previously determined Pain Pressure Threshold intensity, leaving an interstimulus interval of one second according to the optimal method reported for inducing Temporal Summation with pressure pain. Before the first pressure pulse, subjects were taught to use a verbal numeric pain rating scale to rate the pain intensity of the first, fifth, and 10th pressure pulses. The verbal numeric pain rating scale ranged from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("the worst possible pain").

  From Baseline at 1 month

• Changes in Pain Pressure Threshold

  Two Pain Pressure Thresholds will be measured by a handheld algometer, one over the most painful area (peripheric hyperalgesia) and the other one over the middle of the distal phalanx of the thumb (central hyperalgesia). The Pain Pressure Threshold will be applied with the algometer perpendicular to the skin increasing at a rate of 1 kg/s until the first sensation of pain. 3 measures with 30-seconds rest between them will be performed, taking the average as Pain Pressure Threshold.

  From Baseline at 2 weeks

• Changes in Pain Pressure Threshold

  Two Pain Pressure Thresholds will be measured by a handheld algometer, one over the most painful area (peripheric hyperalgesia) and the other one over the middle of the distal phalanx of the thumb (central hyperalgesia). The Pain Pressure Threshold will be applied with the algometer perpendicular to the skin increasing at a rate of 1 kg/s until the first sensation of pain. 3 measures with 30-seconds rest between them will be performed, taking the average as Pain Pressure Threshold.

  From Baseline at 1 month

Secondary Outcomes (21)

• Beck Depression Inventory

  Baseline

• Beck Depression Inventory

  At 2 weeks from Baseline

• Beck Depression Inventory

  At 1 month from Baseline

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

  Baseline

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

  At 2 weeks from Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Action Observation+Motor Imagery through BCI

EXPERIMENTAL

Action Observation+Motor Imagery through a Brain-Computer Interface training paradigm in Virtual Reality using the "NeuRow" platform during 10 sessions of 20 minutes, divided in 4 series of 5 minutes.

Behavioral: Action Observation+Motor Imagery through BCI

Action Observation through non-related with movement illustrations

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Control Action Observation protocol of non-related with movement illustrations during 10 sessions of 20 minutes, divided in 4 series of 5 minutes.

Behavioral: Action Observation through non-related with movement illustrations

Interventions

Action Observation+Motor Imagery through BCI BEHAVIORAL

Patients will undergo the treatment through the NeuRow platform. NeuRow is a gamified Brain-Computer Interface training paradigm in Virtual Reality (or neurogame) that allows patients to perform the same actions as they would do in real-life by imaging the movement. In NeuRow, patients will see a boat and two high fidelity virtual arms gripping two oars in the first-person view. Patients will have to imagine the movement of each corresponding hand to rotate each oar and progress, observing the movement imagined on screen. The goal of the task is to collect as many flags as possible in a fixed amount of time. In order to improve adherence, the number of flags collected will be recorded in each session. It will be able to adapt the boat speed, turn speed, and cut-off angle, to help patients not to deviate in excess from the target. The treatment itself will be performed for 20 minutes each session, divided into 4 series of 5 minutes to prevent fatigue.

Action Observation+Motor Imagery through BCI

Action Observation through non-related with movement illustrations BEHAVIORAL

The same configuration will be applied to simulate a BCI task, but playing a video about graphic illustrations, people's faces, and landscapes, never related to human movement. They will address interesting and changing topics to avoid patient's boredom. The control session will last 20 minutes, also divided into 4 series of 5 minutes and the therapist will give the instructions of observing and relax.

Action Observation through non-related with movement illustrations

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Neuroimaging study without previous pathologies.
• Score \> 5 in transfers (bed to chair and back) item in Barthel Index.
• Score = or \> 24 in Mini-Mental State Examination.
• Able to provide informed consent to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• History of neurologic disease different from PD.
• Presence of non-related to PD pain.
• Dermatologic problems, wounds, or ulcers in the electrode's application area.
• Significative difficulties in language.
• History of alcohol or drugs abuse.
• Non-controlled medical problems.
• Pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria: lead
• Hospital Beata María Ana: collaborator
• Universidad Rey Juan Carlos: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Hospital Beata María Ana

Madrid, 28007, Spain

Location

Related Publications (11)

• Kalia LV, Lang AE. Parkinson's disease. Lancet. 2015 Aug 29;386(9996):896-912. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61393-3. Epub 2015 Apr 19.

  PMID: 25904081 BACKGROUND

• Martinez-Martin P, Rodriguez-Blazquez C, Kurtis MM, Chaudhuri KR; NMSS Validation Group. The impact of non-motor symptoms on health-related quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2011 Feb 15;26(3):399-406. doi: 10.1002/mds.23462. Epub 2011 Jan 24.

  PMID: 21264941 BACKGROUND

• Antonini A, Tinazzi M, Abbruzzese G, Berardelli A, Chaudhuri KR, Defazio G, Ferreira J, Martinez-Martin P, Trenkwalder C, Rascol O. Pain in Parkinson's disease: facts and uncertainties. Eur J Neurol. 2018 Jul;25(7):917-e69. doi: 10.1111/ene.13624. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

  PMID: 29520899 BACKGROUND

• Wright DJ, Williams J, Holmes PS. Combined action observation and imagery facilitates corticospinal excitability. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014 Nov 27;8:951. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00951. eCollection 2014.

  PMID: 25505880 BACKGROUND

• Vourvopoulos A, Ferreira A, Bermúdez i Badia S. NeuRow: An Immersive VR Environment for Motor-Imagery Training with the Use of Brain-Computer Interfaces and Vibrotactile Feedback. 2016.

  BACKGROUND

• Morales Tejera D, Fernandez-Carnero J, Suso-Marti L, Cano-de-la-Cuerda R, Lerin-Calvo A, Remon-Ramiro L, La Touche R. Comparative study of observed actions, motor imagery and control therapeutic exercise on the conditioned pain modulation in the cervical spine: a randomized controlled trial. Somatosens Mot Res. 2020 Sep;37(3):138-148. doi: 10.1080/08990220.2020.1756244. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

  PMID: 32340585 BACKGROUND

• Vourvopoulos A, Jorge C, Abreu R, Figueiredo P, Fernandes JC, Bermudez I Badia S. Efficacy and Brain Imaging Correlates of an Immersive Motor Imagery BCI-Driven VR System for Upper Limb Motor Rehabilitation: A Clinical Case Report. Front Hum Neurosci. 2019 Jul 11;13:244. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00244. eCollection 2019.

  PMID: 31354460 BACKGROUND

• Chaudhuri KR, Rizos A, Trenkwalder C, Rascol O, Pal S, Martino D, Carroll C, Paviour D, Falup-Pecurariu C, Kessel B, Silverdale M, Todorova A, Sauerbier A, Odin P, Antonini A, Martinez-Martin P; EUROPAR and the IPMDS Non Motor PD Study Group. King's Parkinson's disease pain scale, the first scale for pain in PD: An international validation. Mov Disord. 2015 Oct;30(12):1623-31. doi: 10.1002/mds.26270. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

  PMID: 26096067 BACKGROUND

• Perez-Lloret S, Ciampi de Andrade D, Lyons KE, Rodriguez-Blazquez C, Chaudhuri KR, Deuschl G, Cruccu G, Sampaio C, Goetz CG, Schrag A, Martinez-Martin P, Stebbins G; Members of the MDS Committee on Rating Scales Development. Rating Scales for Pain in Parkinson's Disease: Critique and Recommendations. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2016 Jun 24;3(6):527-537. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.12384. eCollection 2016 Nov-Dec.

  PMID: 30363588 BACKGROUND

• Imai Y, Petersen KK, Morch CD, Arendt Nielsen L. Comparing test-retest reliability and magnitude of conditioned pain modulation using different combinations of test and conditioning stimuli. Somatosens Mot Res. 2016 Sep-Dec;33(3-4):169-177. doi: 10.1080/08990220.2016.1229178. Epub 2016 Sep 20.

  PMID: 27650216 BACKGROUND

• Santos-Garcia D, Oreiro M, Perez P, Fanjul G, Paz Gonzalez JM, Feal Painceiras MJ, Cores Bartolome C, Valdes Aymerich L, Garcia Sancho C, Castellanos Rodrigo MDM. Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Parkinson's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Survey of 568 Spanish Patients. Mov Disord. 2020 Oct;35(10):1712-1716. doi: 10.1002/mds.28261. Epub 2020 Sep 22.

  PMID: 32776601 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Juan Pablo Romero Muñoz, MD PhD

  Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Josue Fernández Carnero, PT PhD

  Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Juan Pablo Romero Muñoz, MD PhD

CONTACT

+34917091400; p.romero.prof@ufv.es

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Double-blind criteria will be achieved by following the same protocol with the same instruments in both groups. The evaluator will not be able to stay in the same room during the intervention and patients will not know the instructions and specific hypotheses of each protocol. The statistician will be blinded through the assignment of neutral numbers to both groups. Patients recruited will not meet in waiting rooms to avoid them to comment on their experience during the protocol. Unblinding will be permissible when any event could suppose a risk for the patient's health.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study will be a double-blinded experimental longitudinal prospective randomized controlled trial with a parallel design. The randomization will be realized through randomization software. All the participants who fulfill the inclusion criteria and have none of the exclusion ones will be randomly allocated into two groups: AO+MI through a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) training paradigm in Virtual Reality (VR) (AO+MI-BCI) or AO of non-related with movement illustrations (AO-control). Allocation concealment will be ensured by the inclusion of the assigned group in closed opaque envelopes that will be opened at the time of the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 19, 2020
• First Posted: December 3, 2020
• Study Start: May 3, 2021
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2021
• Study Completion: December 1, 2021
• Last Updated: March 23, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Six months at the end of the study.
• Access Criteria: Individual anonymized participant data will be available to other researchers under request.

Locations

ES (1)