Neurofeedback for Nociplastic Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis (NECTAR)

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-75
SponsorNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

About this trial

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, causing inflammation and pain. Yet pain may persist even when inflammation has been treated. This residual pain, called nociplastic pain, has symptoms of a chronic pain condition called fibromyalgia. There are few effective therapies to address this residual pain. Published literature shows that fibromyalgia can be treated by neurofeedback, a noninvasive method that is based on the voluntary modulation of cortical activity. In this pilot study, the investigators want to test the effect of neurofeedback on the fibromyalgia component of pain in rheumatoid arthritis, and also to investigate its effects on related symptoms such as fatigue and sleep disturbance.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Fulfilment of the ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Fulfilment of the American College of Rheumatology criteria for chronic widespread pain

Stable disease (swollen joint count ≤1 and CRP ≤10)

Has normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing abilities

Disqualifiers

Unable to understand the task.

Unable to provide a written informed consent.

Unable to understand English.

Major confounding neurological diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson's Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease)

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Neurofeedback

Treatment groups

16 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group

Sponsors and collaborators

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Lead sponsor

University of Glasgow

Collaborator