Closed/Previous Studies 2012-2019
There have been six non-commercial studies so far that have previously used Registry data or have been supported by the Network. In addition, a commercial study has previously been granted approval to access Registry data. A brief summary of each non-commercial study is listed below, but please note that all are now closed to recruitment.
- Sensorimotor Training Study (sponsored by the University of Bath) - the study aimed to investigate whether a type of movement therapy, called sensorimotor training, can relieve pain in people with CRPS of the arm or hand. Four research sessions were spread over 11 weeks. During the research sessions, the participants' symptoms were checked and they were asked to complete some computerised tests of sensation and movement performance. Participants then underwent two weeks of either real or control sensorimotor training, which they did in their own home. They were also sent a questionnaire three and six months after the training, so that any long term effects of the treatment can be understood
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- Cortical Reorganisation (CoRe) Study (sponsored by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge) - some research studies have previously found subtle changes in the structure and function of the brain in CRPS. Many people with CRPS also have difficulties in accurately perceiving sensations from the body, but it is unknown whether this is related to brain changes. The CoRe study investigated these brain changes, to determine whether there is a link with the inability to perceive body sensations accurately. The study was a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the University of Liverpool. People with CRPS who were recruited into the study were asked to complete questionnaires to assess their level of pain, function and mood. They also had clinical tests to measure body perceptions, brain activity (EEG), and brain structure (MRI scan)
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- Genetic Pain Study (sponsored by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge) - the study team wished to understand the genetics of patients with chronic pain that is difficult to treat or explain, with the aim of identifying further genes that strongly influence the amount of pain a person feels. The discovery of any new genes whose function is not affected by currently available drugs could lead to the development of new treatments. The researchers recruited patients with chronic pain disorders for whom current medical treatments have not provided a complete solution to their pain. All patients who were suitable were asked to donate a salivary for genetic analyses and complete an assessment that characterises their chronic pain through self-reported questionnaires
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- MIRAGE Study - this studied the effectiveness of viewing visual illusions that alter the size and shape of the painful hand to provide pain relief for people with CRPS. Virtual reality was used by the MIRAGE system to create an image of how the patient desired their affected hand to look like. The study aimed to determine whether repeated exposure to the illusion was effective in sustaining pain relief and reducing body perception disturbance, but also to determine whether visually manipulating the affected hand improved movement performance and reduced the fear of movement. Results of the study have been analysed and it is hoped that a research paper will be published in due course
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- LIPs Trial Study - this was a randomised controlled trial to explore the effectiveness of low dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in reducing pain in patients with moderate to severe CRPS. It was led by Dr Andreas Goebel (Consultant in Pain Medicine, Walton Centre NHS Trust in Liverpool). This study recruited patients across seven specialist pain centres in England and Scotland
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- Core Outcome Measurement set for complex regional PAin syndrome Clinical sTudies (COMPACT) (sponsored by the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust) - an international team of patients, clinicians and researchers was established in 2013. The aim of this study was to agree on a minimum core set of outcome measures which will be recommended for use in all CRPS clinical studies. The development of a core measurement set would make it easier to compare data to answer specific research questions agreed as internationally important and relevant for the advance of the treatment of CRPS. The core measurement set (COMPACT) was agreed through a series of workshops and uses a number of patient-reported questionnaires to assess many aspects of CRPS. One clinician reported outcome measure captures the degree of severity of CRPS. The initial recommendations were published in 2017
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- CRPS International Recovery Study (sponsored by the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, RSDSA) - this included an international team of clinical researchers looking to define recovery from CRPS and the priorities of recovery, from the perspective of the patient’s point of view. The study ran from 2012-2015 with the aim of helping healthcare professionals understand what is important from the patient’s perspective, in terms of treatment outcomes. The study was led by Professor Candy McCabe in collaboration with colleagues from Europe and North America. Please click HERE to read an article that gives an overview of the CRPS Recovery Study and its findings