Vulvodynia Pain Thresholds

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Annotated pain maps will be created showing region and size of areas sensitive to mechanical stimulus in both women affected by vulvar pain and unaffected control patients.

Detailed Description
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The investigators will develop annotated pain maps showing region and size of areas sensitive to mechanical stimulus. The pain maps will be created by combining IR images, photographs, and clinical input, and will be correlated with patient co-morbidities. The IR images will assess for areas of inflammation and increased skin temperature. Pain maps will be created with patient response to mechanical stimulation with a cotton swab and will be overlaid on the thermographic images. Through this combination of measurements, the investigators plan to expand the diagnostic tools used in patient care as well as on the classification of this heterogeneous disorder.

Official Title
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Objective Assessment of Pain Thresholds in Women With Vulvodynia

Conditions
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Vulvodynia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Thermographic Imaging and Mechanical Pain Assessment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: women meeting criteria for vulvodynia women seeking care for routine gynecologic exam Exclusion Criteria: women less than 18 years of age current pregnancy women with vulvar or vaginal disorder other than pain

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Vulvodynia<br>Women with localized, provoked vulvodynia | Diagnostic Test: Thermographic Imaging and Mechanical Pain Assessment<br>* Assessment of pain sensitivity with mechanical stimulus (cotton swab) and thermographic imaging with infrared camera<br>|
| Health Controls<br>Women without vulvar pain or other vulvar disorders. | Diagnostic Test: Thermographic Imaging and Mechanical Pain Assessment<br>* Assessment of pain sensitivity with mechanical stimulus (cotton swab) and thermographic imaging with infrared camera<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annotated Pain Mapping | Develop annotated pain maps showing region and size of area sensitive to mechanical stimulus | 2 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in pain map after clinical intervention | Determine changes in the location and size of sensitive regions following various conventional clinical interventions for vulvodynia. | 3 years | 
| Database Development | Develop a large, information-rich database of annotated pain maps from patients, and use Artificial Intelligence to identify patterns and trends. | 3 years |