Chronic pain relief for people with cirrhosis using at-home TEA therapy
Official title: Chronic Pain Optimization and Management for Relief and Functionality with TEA in Cirrhosis: The COMFORT Pilot Proposal
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11443346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot study will test a new at-home patch therapy (TEA) to reduce chronic pain and improve function for people with cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,671,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013417-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11443346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cirrhosis who experience chronic pain and are able to use a patch-based TEA device at home.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic pain or those unable to use at-home patch therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
People living with cirrhosis often suffer from chronic pain and limited function, and current non-drug approaches aren’t widely used. This project will test a patch-based transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) that patients can use at home, with no needles and minimal risk. Researchers will apply a small, optimized electrical stimulation to specific body points to see if pain, symptoms, and quality of life improve. The study builds on prior work showing TEA can reduce pain and inflammation in GI conditions, now tailored for cirrhosis. If successful, the approach could offer a convenient, safer option to help patients manage pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with cirrhosis could experience meaningful pain relief and better daily functioning with a safe at-home therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior TEA approaches have improved pain and autonomic function in gastrointestinal diseases; this project extends the method to cirrhosis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tapper, Elliot — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Tapper, Elliot
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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.