If you’ve ever wondered why some pain just doesn’t seem to make sense, you’re not alone. University of Otago researchers are doing some fascinating work looking at neuropathic pain - and they need help from Dunedin locals.  
   
A Neurological Foundation-funded PhD researcher, Luke Biolostocki, is researching how the brain changes in response to different types of ongoing nerve pain.  
   
His interest lies in getting one step closer to understanding a complex and often poorly understood aspect of chronic pain presentations.  
   
Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. It occurs when damaged nerve fibres send incorrect signals to the brain, leading to sensations such as burning, stabbing, electric shocks, tingling, or numbness.   
   
Luke is inviting interest from people aged 18–75 who experience nerve pain that has lasted at least three months. This includes people with: 
pins and needles or tingling in their hands or feet   
sciatic pain  
cancer survivors who experience nerve pain or pins and needles in their arms or legs, and people who experience these symptoms during or after chemotherapy  
diabetics who experience pins and needles in their feet or hands  
similar symptoms as part of their joint pain such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, low back pain and shoulder pain  
  
“This research will explore how the brain has become altered in people with neuropathic pain and test a promising, non-invasive therapy: EEG neurofeedback (brainwave training). The goal is to develop a brain training programme for those with neuropathic pain to improve symptoms and potentially create a complementary treatment for pain management”, he says.  
   
On a practical level, Luke explains that participation involves nothing invasive and will take only about 90 minutes.   
   
If you’re keen to contribute to science by participating in this study, please contact Luke by emailing: brainpainresearch.anatomy@otago.ac.nz   
  
Alternatively, you can complete an eligibility form using this link: https://redcap.otago.ac.nz/surveys/?s=EDFJXT9FA4EAW9WL, and Luke will get in touch with you.   
  
This project has been reviewed and approved by the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee (Health) Reference: H26/0063  
 
If you would like to talk to Luke, please email Nicole.Wood@neurological.org.nz