Circadian rhythms and abdominal pain in teens
Official title: The Relationship of Circadian Phase and Functional Abdominal Pain in Adolescents
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11353719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Teens with functional abdominal pain may have a body clock timing issue, and this study looks at how circadian phase relates to their pain and daily functioning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $121,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DK147916-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders and age-matched controls.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy adolescents without abdominal pain or those unable to participate in sleep assessments.
What this research studies
This research explores whether the timing of the body clock (circadian phase) is delayed in adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders and how that timing relates to their pain, nausea, and ability to function at school and home. The team will measure circadian phase using dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and compare results with a control group of adolescents. They will examine how objective circadian phase correlates with patient-reported abdominal pain and related symptoms. The study builds on preliminary data suggesting melatonin treatment may help pain, aiming to clarify mechanisms and potential targets for therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, could lead to new timing-based approaches to reduce pain and improve daily functioning for adolescents with FAPD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work indicates a link between sleep and pediatric abdominal pain, with mixed findings on objective sleep measures and pain correlation.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santucci, Neha Richard — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Santucci, Neha Richard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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-
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-
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This study is testing a helpful online program for parents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to see if it can reduce tummy aches in their young kids aged 4-6 by teaching parents ways to manage stress and model healthier habits.
-
Understanding sleep patterns in adolescents with abdominal pain disorders
This study is looking at how sleep patterns impact teenagers with tummy pain and whether a special treatment called PENFS can help them sleep better and feel less pain.
-
Home-based electrical stimulation for abdominal pain relief
This study is testing a gentle, needle-free method called transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) to help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manage their abdominal pain more easily at home or work, and it will also include a handy app to help track treatment progress.
-
Improving decision-making for children with abdominal pain in emergency departments
This study is looking at how to better diagnose and treat kids with tummy pain in emergency rooms by involving both doctors and families in the decision-making process, with the hope of reducing unnecessary tests and keeping kids safe.
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.