Information and Screening Form: "Pain vs Sensation" Study

This is a study to investigate normal pain processing, and how our thoughts and expectations influence what we feel.  This study will involve healthy men and women, who are at least 18 years old, with no history of neurological injury or disease. This study involves 2 visits to Queen's University, and the first visit has two parts. The first part of the visit will be to familiarize the participant with the heat pain that will be applied to the right hand, and to adjust the temperature for each participant's sensitivity. We will have each participant fill in a questionnaire about themselves, including any history of mental illness, and general MRI safety procedures. We will also familiarize the participant with using a scale for rating their pain, and with the study procedures. The participant will also experience the MRI environment in a "sham" MRI system so that they know what to expect during imaging. The second part of the visit will be in the actual MRI system. The participant will be positioned lying on their back inside the MRI system, with a mirror to view a rating scale and instructions during each imaging run.  During each imaging run we will take images of the spinal cord and brainstem repeatedly over time. During imaging, the participant will sometimes feel the heat pain on their right hand, and other times they will not feel anything. The total visit will take about 2 hours.  The second visit involves another imaging session, but this time we will image the brain, and will take about 1 hour. Participants will be given an honorarium of $60 to cover their time and expenses for participating in both visits</p>

Here is a Detailed Information Package.   Please review this before you decide whether or not you want to volunteer for a study.

Here is a a video for information: Information Video

and an on-line screening form is here (link to form)

You will be contacted by our study coordinator after completing the form, with more information, some additional questionnaires, and to schedule a study time.