Pain and Anaesthesia Research Centre


At Barts Health NHS Trust

PARC

Pain and Anaesthesia Research Centre


At Barts Health NHS Trust

PARC

 

Research

A single centre, randomised, controlled parallel pilot study to investigate the effects of opioids on immunomarkers using gene expression profiling.


This 2-year study received an investigator grant to evaluate the effects of opioid induced immunosuppression.

Completed studies

A sham controlled randomised trial to investigate the effects of radiofrequency neurotomy using Simplicity III™ on patients with sacroiliac joint pain


This was a randomised double-blind sham-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of Simplicity III™, a multi-electrode radiofrequency probe for sacroiliac joint radiofrequency denervation, in participants with sacroiliac joint pain.

Quantitative sensory testing following pregabalin in patients with fibromyalgia


This study evaluated the effects of pregabalin on participants with fibromyalgia, using quantitative sensory testing measure, including diffuse noxious inhibitory control, thermal testing and pressure pain thresholds.

Prodigy ONS

Assessment of burst stimulation in patients undergoing occipital nerve stimulation


The study looked at the role of burst stimulation in participants with occipital nerve stimulation for chronic migraine.

Prodigy RELIEF

Peripheral nerve stimulation registry for intractable migraine headache: a prospective, multi-national post-marketing observational registry of the clinical outcomes of neuromodulation for the management of intractable chronic migraine.


This was a European-wide registry in patients with spinal cord stimulation with burst stimulation parameters.

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QST and SCS

A prospective open label pilot study to investigate the changes in peripheral and central sensitisation using quantitative sensory testing after percutaneous spinal cord stimulation (including sub-threshold stimulation) in patients with lumbar radiculopathy with failed back surgery syndrome


This is an investigator-initiated study looking at changes in peripheral and central sensitisation with differential frequency parameters in participants with spinal cord stimulators.

FACET feasibility study

(FAcet-joint injection Clinical- and cost-Effective Trial)

A multicentre double-blind randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of facet-joint injections in selected patients with non-specific low back pain: a feasibility study


This NIHR-funded study sought to examine the feasibility of undertaking a fully powered double-blind randomised controlled trial.  Patients with non-specific low back pain of more than three months’ duration with confirmed facet-joint disease were randomised to receive facet-joint injections or a sham procedure, plus a combined physical and psychological programme.


The study has been published in the NIHR Journals Library.

‘Sensing Endotracheal Tube’

Development of the ‘Sensing Endotracheal Tube’: an optical multi-parameter monitoring system


In collaboration with the Biomedical Engineering Research Centre at City University London, this was a pilot study of a device to allow continuous measurement of oxygen saturation and other parameters.  The proposed device was used in intubated and ventilated patients undergoing general anaesthesia at Barts Health NHS Trust.

MODS-1

Development of a multi-parameter oesophageal sensor for the early detection of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)


Another collaboration with City University, this NIHR i4i-funded proof-of-concept study investigated a disposable optics-based probe to continuously monitor the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the wall of the oesophagus, to give an early indication of the onset of sepsis.  The sensor was evaluated in intubated patients following cardiac surgery at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

Quantitative sensory testing and body mass index


This study sought to examine the relationship between body mass index and pain response, using quantitative sensory testing.


The abstract was presented at EFIC in 2017.

DRG PET scan study


A feasibility study investigating the changes in dynamic brain imaging in participants with intractable neuropathic pain treated with spinal cord stimulation.

Quantitative sensory testing and dynamic brain imaging (PET scan) after dorsal root ganglion stimulation


This study looks at the role of targeted spinal cord stimulation for patients with low back pain who have not yet had surgery.  We use quantitative sensory testing to evaluate peripheral and central sensitisation as well as dynamic brain imaging, in participants before and after spinal cord stimulation.