Biopsychosocial factors in pediatric chronic musculoskeletal pain
Official title: Biopsychosocial determinants of pediatric-onset chronic musculoskeletal pain
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11419876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital will look at how biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to chronic muscle and joint pain in young people to find better ways to help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,086,466 |
| NIH project number | 5UC2AR086503-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adolescents and young adults (roughly ages 16–26) with primary chronic musculoskeletal pain or related conditions who are already in Cincinnati Children’s registries or cohorts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose pain is due to non-MSK causes or who do not meet age or registry criteria may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project will enroll about 600 adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 26 who have chronic MSK pain, using existing patient registries and cohorts. Researchers will collect and combine medical history, pain measurements, and psychosocial information to identify sub-types and drivers of pain. The aim is to move beyond symptom relief by understanding root causes so future treatments can be more targeted. The work will involve multidisciplinary teams across pediatrics, rheumatology, psychology, and related fields. Findings could guide personalized care and new therapeutic strategies for youth with chronic MSK pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to more precise and effective treatments for pediatric chronic pain and improved long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that integrating biopsychosocial factors helps understand chronic pain better, with potential for identifying more effective treatments; this project builds on existing cohorts.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kashikar-Zuck, Susmita — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kashikar-Zuck, Susmita
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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.