Back to search results

Study on Placebo Cream for Pain

This study is looking at how a cream described as a pain reliever (Placebo Cream) affects how your brain responds to mild heat pain, compared to a cream described as having no effect (Control Cream). Researchers want to understand how your brain processes pain in different body parts and how a placebo might change these brain responses. They will also look at how your brain activity changes before and during pain. You can join if you are at least 18 years old, can read and speak English, and, if female, are not pregnant or breastfeeding and are using birth control. The study aims to understand if the Placebo Cream reduces how unpleasant or intense you feel the pain is.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 150 participants. It uses a crossover design, meaning each participant will receive both the Placebo Cream and the Control Cream at different times.
What's involved
Participants will have fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans, during which they will receive creams and experience mild heat pain on different body sites. Pain levels will be measured immediately after each pain delivery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Pain unpleasantness and intensity will be measured at Hour 2 of fMRI scanning, immediately after each pain delivery trial.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04653064

The Warmth, Anticipation, Sensation, Aversion, and Body-part Imaging Study

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalBasic science
Trustees of Dartmouth College
~150 participants
Updated 2026-01-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Placebo CreamControl Cream

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Contrasts of pain valence (i.e., unpleasantness) using the Bartoshuk Labeled Magnitude Scale (LMS) between body sites administered Placebo vs. Control Cream, both prior to and during pain delivery.
Measured over Hour 2 of fMRI scanning, immediately after each pain delivery trial.
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Pain

Explore related trials

Pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New Hampshire1

Study leadership

  • Tor D Wager, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Dartmouth College

Who to contact

Tor D Wager, PhD
[email protected]
603-646-2196
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Subject must be a volunteer with a minimum age of 18 years and must be able and willing to provide written informed consent.
If female, the subject must be non-lactating, not pregnant, and using a reliable contraception method.
Subject must be able to read and speak English.
Subject must be able to understand and follow the instructions of the investigator and understand all screening questionnaires.
Subject must have no current or recent history of pathological pain.
Subject must have abstained from alcohol and substance use for 48 hours.
Subject must pass all fMRI screening tests.

Exclusion

If female, pregnancy.
Inability to tolerate the scanning procedures (e.g., claustrophobia).
Metal in body or prior history working with metal fragments (e.g., as a machinist).
Inability to tolerate heat pain applied to the forearm.
Reporting temporary abnormal levels of pain.
Allergic response to the exfoliating cream.
Current presence of pain.
Current or past history of psychoactive substance abuse or dependence.
Dementias.
Movement disorders except familial tremor.
CNS infection.
CNS vasculitis.
Inflammatory disease or autoimmune disease.
CNS demyelinating disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis).
Space occupying lesions (mass lesions, tumors).
Congenital CNS abnormality (e.g. cerebral palsy).
Seizure disorder.
History of closed head trauma with loss of consciousness.
History of cerebrovascular disease (stroke, TIAs).
Abnormal MRI (except changes accounted for by technical factors or UBOs.
Neuroendocrine disorders (e.g., Cushings disease).
Uncorrected hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Current or past history of cancer.
Recent history (within two years) of myocardial infarction, severe cardiovascular disease, or currently active cardiovascular disease (e.g. angina, cardiomyopathy).
Uncontrolled hypertension or hypotension.
Chronic pain syndromes.
Chronic fatigue syndromes.
A history of neurologic disease or neuropathic pain.
Prior treatment within the last month with any of the following: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, glucocorticoids, opiates.
Prior treatment with any of the following: antipsychotics, isoniazid, centrally active antihypertensive drugs (e.g. clonidine, reserpine).
Any other contraindications for MRI examination (e.g., metallic implants such as pacemakers, surgical aneurysm clips, or known metal fragments embedded in the body).
Current treatment for psychiatric disorders including mood, anxiety, substance abuse, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychosis.
Neurological disorders (e.g., taking dopamine agonists for Parkinson's) Cardiovascular disease or medication (e.g., taking ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) inhibitors for cardiac remodeling).
Frequent smoking (\> 5 cigarettes / day).
Frequent alcohol use (\> 14 drinks / week).
Frequent migraines (\> 5 / month on average).

What this trial measures

  • Contrasts of pain valence (i.e., unpleasantness) using the Bartoshuk Labeled Magnitude Scale (LMS) between body sites administered Placebo vs. Control Cream, both prior to and during pain delivery.Hour 2 of fMRI scanning, immediately after each pain delivery trial.

    Self-reported pain valence using the LMS ranging from 0-10 (with 0 representing "no pain" and 10 representing "most unlikable pain of any kind experienced".

  • Contrast of pain intensity using the Bartoshuk Labeled Magnitude Scale (LMS) between body sites administered Placebo vs. Control Cream, both prior to and during pain delivery.Hour 2 of fMRI scanning, immediately after each pain delivery trial.

    Self-reported pain intensity using the LMS ranging from 0-10 (with 0 representing "not intense" and 10 representing "most intense pain of any kind experienced".