Adaptation of PATH-Pain for Dementia Family Caregivers Living with Persistent Pain and Negative Emotions
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11539267 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at helping dementia family caregivers who live with ongoing pain and negative feelings by adapting a pain-management program to fit their caregiving needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AG086523-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539267 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Dementia family caregivers who experience persistent musculoskeletal pain and associated negative emotions or mood symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers without persistent pain or depressive/negative-emotional symptoms may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on adapting and translating a pain-management program so dementia caregivers who experience persistent pain and negative emotions can better manage their symptoms while caring for loved ones. The project emphasizes building capacity for the researcher to conduct translational work that develops, tests, and shares evidence-based behavioral interventions. The effort blends pain management with strategies for addressing negative emotions and depression in the caregiving context. Training components will advance knowledge in pain, dementia caregiving, and health behavior change, with plans to implement and disseminate effective interventions. The work is designed to culminate in an independent program for reducing caregiver pain and improving well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers of people with dementia could have better pain control and improved emotional well-being, enabling safer, more sustainable care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous behavioral pain-management approaches have shown promise, and this work builds on that foundation with a caregiver-focused adaptation.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turner, Shelbie G — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Turner, Shelbie G
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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.