Teens' chronic pain linked to stress hormones and brain changes, study finds
NCT ID NCT04488757
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at how stress affects the brain and body in 70 teenagers (ages 11-17) with chronic widespread pain. Participants will have an MRI scan while experiencing mild heat pain, and provide saliva samples to measure stress hormones. The goal is to understand the link between stress, brain function, and pain, which could lead to better treatments in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could reveal how stress contributes to chronic pain in young people, pointing toward new ways to treat or manage the condition.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It is small (70 participants) and early-stage, so findings may not apply to everyone or lead directly to new therapies.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States