Do you want to take part in a research study? Pain & the Disturbance of Cognitive Performance
Liverpool John Moores University are recruiting for a pain research study
Researcher: Chloe Dixon
Supervisor: Dr. David Moore
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it involves. Please take time to read the following information. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide if you want to take part or not.
What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of the study is to see whether pain can affect performance on attention and if different types of pain (e.g. chronic pain, acute pain) interfere with attention in different ways.
Who can take part?
We want to examine how a full range of pain states might affect task performance. Therefore, we need to recruit people suffering with chronic pain conditions, members of the general population with acute pain (i.e. when you have a headache, menstrual pain, stomach ache etc), and members of the general population who are currently pain free. You must be within the age range of 18-55 and can be any gender. However, you cannot take part if you have a visual impairment, severe memory issues (e.g. through Alzheimer’s/Dementia) or have a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD.
Do I have to take part?
No. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do you will be given this information sheet and asked to sign a consent form. You are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. Please note that once your data has been submitted, it can no longer be withdrawn as all data is anonymous. A decision to withdraw will not affect your rights.
What will happen to me if I take part?
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess your pain levels (e.g. “What type of pain are you currently experiencing?”), your symptomology, pain catastrophising (e.g. “I keep thinking about how much it hurts”, hypervigilance (e.g. “I notice pain even if I am busy with other activities”), fatigue (e.g. I am easily fatigued”), depression, anxiety and stress (e.g. “I found it hard to wind down”) and your current experiences with COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. “I am most afraid of coronavirus-19”). Following the questionnaires, you will complete two tasks; the first of these tests your memory and involves looking at letters on the screen one at a time and indicating wen there are repetitions in these letters. The second task involves being asked to indicate if the numbers shown on screen are odd or even and greater or smaller than the number 5, you will be asked to switch between these tasks during the task. You will receive instructions to these tasks when completing them. It should take no longer than 15-minutes to complete participation.
Are there any risks / benefits involved?
There are no intended benefits associated with taking part however, the findings may help the researcher in determining whether pain has an effect on cognitive functions.
Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?
Any information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. You do not have to provide a name on any questionnaires or information sheets and therefore the information you provide cannot be identified with your name. You are requested to provide the researcher with a signed or initialled consent form. This will be kept by the researcher separate from the any other information you provide. This will be stored securely and destroyed within 24 months of completion of the study.
Has this study been approved by an ethics committee?
LJMU Psychology Research Ethics Panel has assessed the research study and approved it.
Who to contact with enquires about this study?
Chloe Dixon – MSc Brain and Behaviour, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health.
Email: C.Dixon@2017.ljmu.ac.uk
Dr. David Moore – Supervisor of this project, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health.
Email: D.J.Moore@ljmu.ac.uk