Research
Anesthesia research includes clinical projects in the areas of cardiovascular, emergency medicine, neuroanesthesia, pediatric airway and intensive care medicine. In addition to critical incident reporting, the human factors group focuses on communication, team interactions and simulations. In the laboratory, we concentrate on malignant hyperthermia, skeletal muscle and pharmacogenetic aspects of anesthesia.
Current studies
Open-label placebos for acute pain
We are looking for healthy, normal-weight men aged 18 and over for our study in pain medicine.
Aim of the study: We would like to test whether the multiple administration of openly administered placebos (medically inactive substances) in acute pain therapy is superior to the single administration of such openly administered placebos and whether the timing of the second administration is relevant for the effect.
Procedure and duration of the study: The study will take place on one appointment (1 test day) in the Department of Pain Medicine (at the Department of Anesthesiology) of the University Hospital Basel. A screening will take place in advance by telephone or in a preliminary discussion, which serves to clarify suitability for participation in the study and lasts approx. 10 minutes.
The test day lasts approximately four and a half hours. On the test day, two thin wires (slightly thicker than a hair) are inserted into the superficial skin of a forearm. These are used to stimulate the nerve fibers in the skin with an electric generator. Before the insertion, the forearm is cooled with ice so that the insertion can be carried out with minimal pain.
The wires are connected to a current generator and the nerve fibers are stimulated according to their pain sensitivity (up to level 6 out of 10 on a pain scale where 0 = no pain and 10 = unbearable pain). During stimulation, the differences in sensitivity in the area of stimulation are examined using a cotton bud and a pointed object. As soon as the examinations are completed after around three and a half hours, the wires are removed without leaving any residue.
Expense allowance (incl. travel expenses): You will receive CHF 120 for participating in the test day.
All data will be treated confidentially. There is no medical benefit for the test subjects.
If you are interested in participating in the study and meet the above criteria, please contact Ms. Maria Oppliger.
Please note that your data will be registered if you contact Maria Oppliger by telephone. If you are not interested in participating in a study, your data will be deleted immediately.