Want to Volunteer?

To date, we and other research groups have identified the main areas of the brain concerned with pain. The challenge now is to understand the role of these brain areas in the various aspects of pain processing, such as anticipation of pain, attention to pain, and emotional responses to pain. A further challenge is to understand how these aspects of pain processing differ between healthy volunteers and chronic pain patients. Our aim is to address these challenges using state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques.

In order to understand pain processing in patients suffering from chronic pain, it is first necessary to understand how pain is processed in healthy individuals. For this reason, a number of our studies focus on pain processing in healthy volunteers, while others focus on pain processing in patients with different chronic pain conditions. Furthermore, in order to carry out such studies, a suitable pain stimulus is required. Therefore, we are also working on the development of laser systems for use in pain stimulation. Thus, our research may be divided into 3 main areas:

  • Healthy volunteer studies,
  • Patient studies, and
  • Development of pain stimulators

All of our studies are approved by the Local Research Ethics Committee. Some studies require healthy volunteers and others require patients with particular pain conditions. All volunteers are compensated for their time and for expenses. Below are links to information sheets about the studies for which we are currently recruiting.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these studies, please contact one of the researchers named on the information sheet. Alternatively, if you would like to express a general interest in volunteering, please contact us using the details below:

Our current studies

Early studies of alpha entrainment showing similar entrainment to what we saw with our normal volunteers studies but we now need to perform more extensive studies on both alpha-entrainment and neurofeedback and we need your help. Click here for further information

If you want to take part in the neurofeedback trial, email James Henshaw (james.henshaw-2@manchester.ac.uk) or Tim Rainey on 0161 206 0205

If you want to take part in the visual and auditory trial email Helen Locke (helen.locke@manchester.ac.uk)

Participants who take part will be compensated for their time.

 

Study Title: Neurofeedback for Chronic Pain Project

Basic Information: Neurofeedback therapy involves showing users their own brain activity and training them to voluntarily increase/decrease activity in specific brain regions, and has shown potential as a method of pain treatment. We are developing our own neurofeedback treatment to increase resilience to chronic pain, and are running a number of studies to develop this treatment fully.

Participant information: For this study we are looking for volunteers with chronic pain (pain that has lasted for at least 3 months) that are aged 40 years and older.   

Location: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, M6 8HD

How to take part: if you are interested in taking part in the study and would like to receive further information please contact Dr James Henshaw on james.henshaw-2@manchester.ac.uk or 0161 206 0205.

 

Study Title: Life experiences, mental health and pain

Participants with and without chronic pain needed for an online study

The study is an online survey in which you will answer some questions regarding your demographic information (gender, age), traumatic events that may have occurred during your childhood and adulthood (such as experiences of abuse, car accidents, etc.), your mental and physical health and certain psychological variables. The study takes on average 20-30 minutes to complete.

We are looking for both chronic pain patients and people who do not experience chronic pain.

Participants must fit the following criteria:

  • Be over 18 years

  • Currently live in the UK

  • Be able to take part in the study, e.g. read instructions

     

    If you would like to take part, you can click on the link below

    https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_02RqOb1VBtLnrSK

    If you have any questions, please email Ariane Delgado Sánchez (ariane.delgadosanchez@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk)

    Or contact the following number: 01612064529This project has been approved by the University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee 2.

Study Title: Developing technology for chronic pain management

We are looking for volunteers with chronic pain (that has lasted more than 3 months) and are aged over 18. You will be reimbursed for your time and travel expenses from your participation.

To find out more please contact the Human Pain Research Group on Tel. 0161 206 4529