UK fMRI Research Study looking for Participants with Fibromyalgia

The Birmingham University Imaging Centre are looking for patients with Fibro to take part in an fMRI study.

Information from the study coordinator, Jody Osborn:

"At the Birmingham University Imaging Centre, we are conducting research studying how the brain processes painful information. We are currently looking for research subjects with chronic pain. We use a number of procedures to investigate how you experience pain, when and why your pain experience might change and how your brain interprets and causes pain experience. We are currently looking for research subjects with fibromyalgia.

We use a new technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI for short. fMRI takes pictures of the brain using powerful magnets. These pictures can show how different parts of the human brain work.

If you are interested in volunteering for this research study, we want to hear from you. Participants are compensated for their time and travel."

There will be two parts to the experiment, a behavioural study and an experiment using functional magnetic imaging study (fMRI). Both parts will involve patients experiencing painful heat applied to the right and left arms using a heat thermode. Patients will be able to decide to what level of pain is tolerable and be able to remove the heat probe if the pain is too uncomfortable. Should a patient report the pain as intolerable, then the experimenter will turn off the stimulator immediately. Measurement of brain activity will be performed by using functional magnetic imaging.

fMRI is a non-invasive method that is used to investigate blood flow in the brain whilst the patient is experiencing pain. Its use in previous research studies has provided important information about Fibro, including proof that patients with Fibro experience far greater pain from any pain stimuli.

The research group are looking for men and women diagnosed with Fibro up to the age of 65 to take part in the study. Participants must be able to lie down in the scanner for 1.5 - 2 hours with little movement and must not be claustrophobic. Participants must also be able to make their way to Birmingham. The research group are able to offer £30 per participant in expenses.

For further information, please download the Participant Information Sheet:
Participant Information Sheet (PDF format 204KB)

If you are interested in taking part and think you should be eligible for the study, please contact the study Coordinator, Jody Osborn:

Office: (0121) 414 8836
Mobile: 07854 44 00 79
Email: osbornjy@bham.ac.uk - please note the new email address for Jody.