NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Complementary and Integrative Health stepped care for chronic pain and PTSD

Official title: Complementary and Integrative Health Stepped Care for Co-occurring Chronic Pain and PTSD

Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11325784 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A plan to test a stepped-care CIH approach to help people with both chronic pain and PTSD feel better and function more in daily life.

More Chronic Pain research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startMarch 1, 2023
Project endApril 30, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$206,687
NIH project number5R00AT012054-04
Project IDNIH-11325784 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with co-occurring chronic pain and PTSD who are seeking integrated CIH-based care.

Less likely to help

Patients not seeking integrative approaches or those without access to CIH resources may see limited benefit.

What this research studies

This project aims to develop and pilot-test a pragmatic, system-based CIH (complementary and integrative health) approach to treating people who have both chronic pain and PTSD. The work focuses on real-world settings, using user-centered design to create practical care steps that can be implemented within learning health systems. It will involve a pilot randomized design to generate data that could inform a future larger trial and grant applications. The researcher’s training plan supports transition to independence as a faculty member while advancing expertise in pragmatic CIH trial design and care models for complex conditions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients with chronic pain and PTSD could receive more accessible, coordinated CIH care that improves symptoms and daily functioning.

How similar studies have gone: Prior CIH and stepped-care work has shown promise in related conditions, but this specific co-occurring pain/PTSD approach is novel.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Washington
    Seattle, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Reed, David E — University of Washington
  • Study coordinator: Reed, David E

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • A new approach to treating chronic pain and PTSD together

    This study is exploring a new way to help people who have both chronic pain and PTSD by combining different types of treatments to better meet their needs, and we're looking for participants to try out this approach.

    NIH research University of Washington · Seattle, United States · NIH-11285994

  • Motor cortex tricks to ease chronic pain

    A study in rodents and people tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce chronic pain and how best to target it.

    NIH research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · New York, United States · NIH-11621209

  • Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function

    Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.

    NIH research VA Boston Health Care System · Boston, United States · NIH-11617299

  • Human pain center study to map normal and migraine-trigeminal neurons

    A large NIH-funded project will map and study the human trigeminal neurons involved in migraines to understand what changes in these cells during headache conditions.

    NIH research University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11615140

  • Understanding human pain neurons to improve migraine care

    Researchers are studying human pain-sensing neurons to uncover what makes migraine start and persist, with the goal of better treatments for people who experience migraines.

    NIH research University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11615139

  • Whole Person Pain Algorithm to personalize chronic pain care

    A new, evidence-based model helps explain why chronic low back pain affects people differently and could guide personalized diagnosis and treatment.

    NIH research University of Florida · Gainesville, United States · NIH-11609318

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.