Pleasant Touch Perception in Persistent Pain.

NCT07551687 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-08467-01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn how individuals with chronic pain experience pleasant touch and how often they are exposed to such touch in their daily lives. The study also aims to examine how these experiences relate to pain sensitivity and body awareness. The main questions it aims to answer are: How is the perception of pleasant touch associated with central sensitization and interoceptive awareness in individuals with chronic pain? Does the perception of pleasant touch differ between individuals with different dominant pain mechanisms (nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic)? Participants referred to a specialist Pain Clinic in Västra Götaland as part of their regular care will be invited to take part. Those who consent will complete online questionnaires assessing pain, experience and exposure to touch, interoceptive awareness, and central sensitization. Clinical data such as pain diagnosis and medical history will also be collected.

Conditions

Chronic Pain; Persistent Pain

Keywords

Nociplastic pain; Neuropathic pain; Nociceptive pain; Pleasant touch; Central sensitization; Interoception; Social touch; Affective touch

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Perception of pleasant touch

  Perception of pleasant touch assessed using a study-specific questionnaire measuring experience and exposure to social touch.

  At baseline

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Central sensitization

  At baseline

• Interoceptive awareness

  At baseline

Study Arms (1)

Chronic Pain Patients

Individuals with chronic pain referred to a specialist pain clinic in Västra Götaland. Participants will complete questionnaires assessing pain, experience and exposure to pleasant touch, interoceptive awareness, and central sensitization. Clinical data will be collected as part of routine care.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Adults with persistent pain referred to Smärtteam Västra Götaland for clinical assessment and management.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years and older
• Referred to and accepted for assessment at Pain Clinic (Smärtteam) Västra Götaland due to persistent pain (duration ≥ 3 months)
• Able to read and complete self-report questionnaires in Swedish

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to read or complete self-report questionnaires in Swedish
• Need for interpreter support

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Göteborg University: lead
• Västra Götalandsregionen: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Smärtteam Västra Götaland

Gothenburg, Sweden

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain; Nociplastic Pain; Neuralgia; Nociceptive Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Line Löken, PhD

CONTACT

+46706722713; line.loken@gu.se

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 20, 2026
• First Posted: April 27, 2026
• Study Start: April 26, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2030
• Last Updated: April 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

SE (1)