Pain Emotion Adolescent Relationship (PEAR) Study - Teen 14-17 years old

STUDY BASICS

Are you the parent of a 14-17 year old? Do they have mild to high pain in the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, or limbs? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to better understand how pain, mood, and mental health are related in youth. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The main purpose of the PEAR study is to help researchers better understand why some teens who have physical pain in their body go on to develop depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts, while other teens do not. Given that research suggests that some brain regions are involved in both physical pain and mood, one of the aims of this study is to understand how daily life experiences, such as social interations, and the brain may be related to daily changes in both physical pain and mood. We would like to also better understand how daily social experiences, the brain, pain and mood, may work together to influence the development of depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts for some teens. Ultimately, we hope this information will help us learn how to improve emotional health in teens. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

Eligible participants:

• Are youth between 14-17 years old 
• Have mild to high pain in the jaw, neck, back, shoulders, or limbs

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study will examine brain activity, pain, and mood in adolescents with musculoskeletal pain in limbs, back, neck, or shoulders. We will also ask questions about depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation and behavior. We will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity, and will use questionnaires and repeated home electronic assessments to measure pain, mood, and behavior. All adolescent participants will be asked to also complete a 7-day home assessment via their phone after the 2nd visit, and again approximately once a month for 5 additional months.