Recruiting

Observational Study

Sponsor:

Washington University School of Medicine

Code:

NCT07217782

Conditions

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 9 - 17

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Pressure pain thresholds (measured in kilopascal)

Cold pain tolerance (duration in seconds)

Study Details

Brief summary:

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatologic disease in children. The main symptoms of JIA, which are often the primary focus of treatment, include joint swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. Additional symptoms can include malaise, fatigue, and pain. However, the exact mechanisms contributing to pain are not yet fully understood. Participants will complete a 2.5-hours study session.

In the study session, psychophysical assessments of thermal and pressure stimuli will be performed. In addition, demographic, social, pubertal maturation, and behavioral and psychological factors will be collected via questionnaires. A saliva sample and/or blood draw may occur for the analysis of various immune factors and sex hormones. If a joint aspiration is done as part of their standard of care, we will request a sample of the synovial fluid for analyses of immune, hormonal and/or genetic factors. Participants will have the option to participate in additional optional follow-up study visits (every 3 months, up to 1 year) and to complete monthly surveys asking about their juvenile arthritis.

Conditions

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Study ID

NCT07217782

Start date

Sep 15, 2025

Status verified date

Jul, 2026

Completion date

Sep, 2035

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Sep, 2030

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 9 - 17

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 9-17
2. Males and females
3. English speakers
4. Able to complete surveys and understand study instructions
5. Juvenile arthritis group: diagnosed or suspected of juvenile arthritis
6. Control group: healthy

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
2. (Control Group) Diagnosed with a chronic pain condition
3. (Control Group) Diagnosed with psychiatric condition including ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc.

Study Design

Enrollment

140 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Non randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Other

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

other: JIA

Inclusion:

1. Age between 9-17
2. Males and females
3. English speakers
4. Able to complete surveys and understand study instructions
5. Diagnosed or suspected of juvenile arthritis

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will not be enrolled if any of the following criteria exist and based on the investigator discretion:

1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
2. (Control Group) Diagnosed with a chronic pain condition
3. (Control Group) Diagnosed with psychiatric condition including ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc.

other: Controls

Inclusion:

1. Age between 9-17
2. Males and females
3. English speakers
4. Able to complete surveys and understand study instructions
5. Healthy

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will not be enrolled if any of the following criteria exist and based on the investigator discretion:

1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
2. (Control Group) Diagnosed with a chronic pain condition
3. (Control Group) Diagnosed with psychiatric condition including ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc.

Interventions

Pressure pain thresholds (measured in kilopascal)

Pressure will be increased continually and participants will be instructed to press a button the first moment they feel pain from the pressure stimulus. The first threshold measurement will be used as a familiarization. The average threshold is calculated from three measurements. Higher value indicates lower experimental pain sensitivity

Cold pain tolerance (duration in seconds)

Cold pain tolerance will be assessed by having participants immerse their hand or foot in a cold (4-12°C) water bath. Tolerance will be defined by the time of hand withdrawal. Pain ratings of cold pain intensity might be obtained periodically, and both pain intensity and pain unpleasantness will be recorded upon hand/foot withdrawal. Higher value indicates lower experimental pain sensitivity

Primary outcome measure

  • Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) (measured in kilopascal) [ Time Frame: 1 year ]
  • Cold pain tolerance (duration in seconds) [ Time Frame: 1 year ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Alana McMichael, MA

314-273-6194painlab@wustl.edu

Locations

Washington University School of Medicine

Recruiting

St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63017

Contacts

Hadas Nahman-Averbuch, PhD

314-273-6194painlab@wustl.edu

Alana McMichael, MA

314-273-6194painlab@wustl.edu

Principal Investigator:

Hadas Nahman-Averbuch, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

Washington University School of Medicine

Last update posted

Jul 14, 2026

Last verified

Jul, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Washington University School of Medicine on 2026-07-14.