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Neural Mechanisms of Treatment Response to ADAPT

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome
Anxiety
Registration Number
NCT03518216
Lead Sponsor
Michigan State University
Brief Summary

Complex functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) with co-occurring anxiety are highly prevalent in children, can be very disabling, and are not responsive to currently available treatments. This research aims to better understand the neural mechanisms involved in a promising nonpharmacological treatment for FAPD to ultimately guide the development of more targeted treatment approaches for afflicted youth.

Detailed Description

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) are among the most common chronic pain conditions of childhood and are associated with significant functional disability, pain, and comorbid anxiety that adversely impacts treatment outcomes. Thus, the PI developed a psychological intervention, Aim to Decrease Anxiety and Pain Treatment (ADAPT; F32HD078049), that targets both pain and anxiety using cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness meditation approaches to improve patient outcomes. Preliminary testing has shown that ADAPT reduces pain and anxiety in youth with FAPD. In this study, brain mechanisms implicated in the modulation of pain and response to ADAPT will be investigated. Participants with FAPD and comorbid anxiety will be randomized to either ADAPT or a waitlist control (each condition will last for approximately 6 weeks). Participants will undergo fMRIs to explore changes in functional connectivity and regional brain activation during visceral pain induction (via the water load symptom provocation task; WL-SPT). In Aim 1, functional connectivity patterns associated with a subjective response to pain induction in youth with FAPD who receive ADAPT will be compared to the waitlist control. Conventional blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI will be used to assess functional connectivity to capture moment-to-moment fluctuations in activity. In Aim 2, changes in regional brain activation for those receiving ADAPT will be compared to those in the waitlist condition. The novel arterial spin label (ASL) MRI technique will be used to gain inferences into regional brain activity. In line with the NCCIH funding priorities, this study seeks to increase understanding of the mechanisms through which mind and body approaches impact clinical outcomes in chronic pain and anxiety. Results will advance the field by providing crucial information needed for the refinement and testing of a tailored mind body intervention for FAPD and comorbid anxiety.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
49
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
FACTORIAL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Functional Connectivity of Amygdala with the Prefrontal Cortexthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Changes in functional connectivity will be examined using the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) effect

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disordersthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Patient-reported measure of anxiety symptoms over the past 3 months

State Anxietythrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

0 - 10 self-report of how anxious the child is feeling in the present moment

Pain Intensity/Unpleasantness via Visual Analog Scalethrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

State pain intensity and unpleasantness levels using a 0 - 10 scale

Regional Brain Activation in Areas Associated with Cognitive, Affective, and Visceral Afferent Aspects of Painthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Changes in regional brain activity will be assessed by arterial spin labeling (ASL)

Neuroimaging data linked to pain and anxiety outcomesthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Changes in functional connectivity/regional brain activation will correspond with changes in pain and anxiety

Affective Reactivity Index- Self Reportthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

7-item measure of emotional regulation

Child Pain Historythrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Demographic factors, school absences, and pain duration, location, etc via caregiver report

NIH Promis Pain Interferencethrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Measure of functional impairment due to pediatric pain

Peterson Pubertal Development Scalethrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Pubertal status assessed via clinical interview

Medication usethrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

current medication use will be obtained via medical chart review and parent report

Generalized Anxiety Disorders 7 (GAD-7)through study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Patient-reported measure of anxiety symptoms over the past 2 weeks. Measures contains 7 items measured on a scale of 0-21 with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.

Self-Efficacy Pain Scale- Child Versionthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Measure of child self-efficacy when in pain

Children's Depression Inventory 2through study completion, an average of 9 weeks

A measure of depressive symptoms in the past 2 weeks

Patient Health Questionnaire 9through study completion, an average of 9 weeks

A 9-item measure of depressive symptoms in the past 2 weeks. Scores range from 0-27 with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptoms.

Depression Anxiety Stress Scalesthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Measure of caregiver depression, anxiety, and tension/stress.

Functional Disability Inventory- Parent Reportthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Parent-reported child anxiety symptoms over the past three months; ≥25 is clinical anxiety

Child COVID-19 Related Distressthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

A visual analog scale item assessing for the child's COVID-related distress on a scale of 0-10. A greater score indicates greater distress.

MRI Safety and Screeningat screening to determine eligibility

Utilized to determine if patient can safely complete fMRI protocol

Fullness Rating Scalethrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Youth will use scale to indicate how full they feel before and after water ingestion

Pain Catastrophizing Scalethrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Maladaptive beliefs about pain and long-term outcomes completed by caregiver

Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs)through study completion, an average of 9 weeks

A 9-item query for frequency of adverse events experienced during childhood. Frequency count ranges from 0-9 with a higher score indicating a greater number of adverse childhood events.

COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey (CEFIS)through study completion, an average of 9 weeks

38-item measure of COVID-19 related distress and impact on families and caregivers. Part 1 of the measure queries the frequency of COVID-related events on a scale of 0-25 with higher scores indicating a greater number of experienced events. Part 2 of the measures the adverse impact of COVID-related events and has a score range of 12-60 with higher scores indicating a greater adverse impact.

Edinburgh Handedness Inventorythrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

To assess the dominance of a person's right or left hand in everyday activities; one item was removed (striking a match) because it is not appropriate for children

Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders- Parent Reportthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Parent-reported child anxiety symptoms over the past three months; ≥25 is clinical anxiety

Self-Efficacy Chronic Pain Scale- Parent Versionthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Parent reported child self-efficacy during pain

Affective Reactivity Index- Parent- Reportthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

7-item measure of child emotional regulation

Functional Disability Inventorythrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

A 15-item self report inventory measuring perceived pain-related disability

Rome IV Diagnosis Checklistat screening to determine eligibility

Physician reported FAPD criteria (based on the Rome IV) met by the patient

Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Childrenthrough study completion, an average of 9 weeks

Maladaptive beliefs about pain and long-term processes

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Michigan State University

🇺🇸

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Michigan State University
🇺🇸Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

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