A new system to manage pain in people with low back pain
Official title: Efficient and Cost-Effective Multimodal System for Pain Management in Low Back Pain
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-10802399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with low back pain by using technology to track how their bodies move and respond, which could lead to better ways to understand and manage their pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | March 16, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $466,124 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR018451-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10802399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing acute or chronic low back pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low back pain who are unable or unwilling to participate in movement assessments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to pain management for individuals suffering from low back pain by utilizing advanced technology to analyze facial and body movements. The study aims to improve pain assessment and monitoring through automatic tracking of physical responses during specific movements. Participants will undergo clinical assessments where their movements will be recorded and analyzed to develop reliable measures of pain intensity and occurrence. Additionally, the research seeks to understand psychosocial factors that contribute to chronic low back pain, potentially leading to new prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate pain assessments and improved management strategies for patients with low back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using technology for pain assessment, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hammal, Zakia — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Hammal, Zakia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.