Research
Pain Regulation - Propranolol Project
Pain Regulation - Central Sensitization Project
Pain Regulation - Functional Imaging Project
OPPERA Project
The UNC Center for Neurosensory Disorders is conducting a research study investigating the biological, psychological, and genetic factors that may cause Temporomandibular Muscle and Joint Disorder (TMJD). We are looking for healthy volunteers and people with TMJD to participate.
Participation will include 1 clinic appointment lasting 3 hours. During that time participants fill out various questionnaires and receive a clinical exam and sensory testing. Individuals who meet the study criteria will be complete brief health updates for the next 4-5 years.
You must be between the ages of 18 and 44, and not have diabetes, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, drug or alcohol abuse, chronic respiratory diseases, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney failure and have not required hospitalization for a psychiatric disorder within the last 6 months.
You should not participate if you are pregnant, nursing a baby, currently involved in orthodontic treatment, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
People who complete all data collection aspects will be paid $260 (this includes $90 for the clinic appointment mentioned above).
For more information about the OPPERA Project, visit the website at
www.OPPERA.org
or Contact the Study Coordinator at (919) 966-1060 or Email OPPERA Project
Pain Regulation - Propranolol Project
The purpose of this research project is to test whether the drug propranolol can reduce the clinical symptoms (such as pain) of patients with temporomandibular disorder or fibromyalgia. If you are a healthy woman, you will not be given any medication during the study. We are only interested in how women without either of these conditions respond to the experimental pain procedures, and how everyday stresses and your menstrual cycle affect how you respond to these procedures and how you feel about yourself.
If you have temporomandibular disorder or fibromyalgia, then you will take propranolol for one week and for a different week you will take a placebo, a pill that looks identical to propranolol but that doesn't actually have any active ingredients. Propranolol belongs to a class of medications called beta-adrenergic antagonists. This is a drug that has been approved for the treatment of other disorders, including migraine headaches and high blood pressure; however, its use in this research project is experimental.
Propranolol (Inderal) is a drug that has been used for many years. It is FDA-approved for several conditions, including migraine, high blood pressure, and several different heart conditions. It is considered to be safe and effective. In fact, many individuals with fibromyalgia or TMD are already prescribed this drug to treat migraines. The dosage you will take each day is lower than the usual minimum maintenance dose for most of the drug's approved uses.
If interested or for further information on the Propranolol Project:
Contact the Study Coordinator at (919) 966-9760 or Email Propranolol Project
Pain Regulation -
Central Sensitization Project
The purpose of this study is to learn more about how pain is felt by women with chronic pain conditions (temporomandibular disorders and fibromyalgia), and in women who do not have chronic pain. We hope to learn whether chronic pain, or pain caused by an experimental procedure, feels different if another type of sensation, such as vibration, is present. We also want to learn whether pain affects the way other types of stimulation, such as vibration, are processed, and whether there are differences in people with and without chronic pain.
If interested or for further information on the Central Sensitization Project:
Contact the Study Coordinator at (919) 966-9760 or Email Central Sensitization Project
Pain Regulation -
Functional Imaging Project
The purpose of this project is to learn more about how pain is signaled in the brain of people with long lasting pain conditions (temporomandibular disorders and fibromyalgia) and in people who do not have chronic pain. We hope to learn whether pain is signaled differently when another type of sensation, such as vibration, is present. We also want to learn whether pain influences how other types of stimulation, such as vibration, are processed in the brain. And we want to know whether there are differences in persons with and without chronic pain.
If interested or for further information on the Functional Imaging Project:
Contact the Study Coordinator at (919) 966-9760 or Email Functional Imaging Project
Pain Screening Project
The Center for Neurosensory Disorders is currently recruiting for several studies for women with Fibromyalgia or Temporomandibular Muscle and Jaw Disorder (TMJD), TMJ, or TMJD as well as healthy women.
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about our studies and would like to participate in a screening session (Biomedical IRB #04-1811).
You should not participate if you have had facial trauma or orofacial surgery within the past six months, you are pregnant or nursing or are planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months, or if you are currently in orthodontic treatment.
You should not participate if you have any of the following conditions: diabetes, seizures, heart trouble or disease, drug or alcohol abuse, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, major psychiatric disorder, pulmonary disease, major clinical depression, renal failure or dialysis, or if you are currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
$15 compensation will be provided for participating in a one visit screening session lasting one hour.
For more information on the Pain Screening Project:
Contact the Study Coordinator at (919) 966-9760 or Email Pain Screening Project Study Coordinator
Tryumph Research program
The TRYUMPH Research Program is currently conducting several prospective studies to better understand the recovery process after traumatic events such as sexual assault and motor vehicle collision. To read more about these studies, click here.
If interested or for further information on the TRYUMPH Research Project:
Contact the Study Coordinator at (919) 966-7315 or Email TRYUMPH Research Project