The Nor-PAIN study at REMEDY and Diakonhjemmet Hospital has gotten off to an unusually good start. In a short time, 16 patients have already been included, and the researchers describe great interest among the patients. The goal is to include 350 participants in total.
Caption: Nor-PAIN will investigate why some people continue to have pain, even when inflammation is well controlled. Lisa Elstad (pictured) is coordinating the data collection together with Elisabeth Mulrooney. Ida K. Bos-Haugen is leading the study.
A large group of patients report persistent pain despite effective treatment of disease activity. Nor-PAIN may provide an answer to why.
Professor and specialist in rheumatology, Ida K. Bos-Haugen, is leading the project.
“Patients say they appreciate that we take a direct and thorough look at pain. It provides motivation and emphasizes how important this field of research is,” she says.
Want to understand why pain persists
Nor-PAIN will investigate why some patients with inflammatory joint disease continue to have pain, even when inflammation is well controlled. The study combines data from Nor-DMARD with studies of pain sensitization, new questionnaires and digital tests.
The goal is to map how biological, psychological and cognitive factors influence pain perception and response to treatment. The researchers hope to identify different “pain profiles”. This in turn can form the basis for more individually tailored treatment.
– Pain is complex. We need precise knowledge to avoid both undertreatment and overtreatment. Nor-PAIN can provide new insights that really move the field forward, says Bos-Haugen.
Logistics and quality in the city center
The study requires close collaboration between the research community and the clinic. Physiotherapist and postdoctoral fellow Elisabeth Mulrooney is the study coordinator. She is responsible for logistics, data quality and implementation.
– The good collaboration with the clinic is absolutely crucial. A simple message from nurses or secretaries about a current patient in Nor-DMARD can mean one new participant in Nor-PAIN. This is teamwork, says Mulrooney.
She particularly highlights the efforts of bioengineers, secretarial services, and ultrasound doctors as important for the smooth running of the study days.
Psychology
Psychologist and PhD candidate, Lisa Elstad, coordinates the data collection and conducts the testing of the participants together with Mulrooney.
Elstad has special expertise in cognitive aspects of pain and non-inflammatory pain mechanisms. Her role is central to ensuring that the tests are conducted equally for all patients and that recruitment runs smoothly.
Why this matters to patients
The study can contribute to more targeted treatment, better follow-up and ultimately increased quality of life for patients. The knowledge collected will provide new perspectives on pain in general. This may be important, also for other diseases.
Tightly anchored in the clinic
Nor-PAIN relies on clinical teams to enroll patients who are eligible for Nor-DMARD. This interaction is described as exemplary.
– We experience great goodwill and commitment in the clinic. It is thanks to their efforts that we have gotten off to such a good start, says Mulrooney.
The way forward
Going forward, the main focus will be on recruitment, data quality, and further anchoring in the clinic. The research group's ambition is to contribute to the development of more precise, holistic, and knowledge-based treatment courses for pain.
More information about the study can be found on REMEDY's pages.
Facts about Nor-PAIN
What is the study? A research study at REMEDY and Diakonhjemmet Hospital that investigates why some patients with inflammatory joint disease still have pain even though the inflammation is well treated.
Goal: To identify biological, psychological and cognitive factors that influence pain – and develop more effective treatment.
Status: 16 participants included. Goal: 350.
Key people:
- Ida K. Bos-Haugen – project manager
• Elisabeth Mulrooney – study coordinator
• Lisa Elstad – responsible for data collection
What is examined?
Combination of Nor-DMARD data, questionnaire, ultrasound, pain threshold examinations and digital tests.
Test tools:
- Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) - pain threshold tests
- CANTAB - digital tests of cognition, mental flexibility and attention
- Ultrasound
- Questionnaire related to pain experience, coping, treatment expectations and emotional well-being
Why important?
Can provide a basis for more individually tailored treatment and reduce both over- and under-treatment.
Link to the study on the REMEDY pages: https://remedy-senter.no/project/nor-pain
