Contemporary Human Models of Postoperative Pain in General Surgery
Official title: Contemporary Human Models of Postoperative Pain: A Biopsychosocial Investigation in General Surgery
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11399880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in general surgery patients using biopsychosocial approaches to understand why some people have long-lasting pain after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $408,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM159908-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing general surgery who are at risk for or experiencing postoperative pain and potential progression to chronic postoperative pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to experience prolonged postoperative pain or who do not participate in perioperative assessments may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how biological, psychological, and social factors together influence acute and chronic postoperative pain in people undergoing common surgeries. It uses real-world clinical settings in the operating room to observe how pain develops from the moment of surgery and how it may transition to chronic pain. The team plans to measure markers of inflammation and other biological signals, while also considering patients’ emotional state and social context. By studying a diverse patient group in a controlled hospital environment, researchers aim to map who is at risk and why. The goal is to identify early intervention points to prevent persistent pain after surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more personalized pain prevention strategies that reduce long-lasting postoperative pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown associations between perioperative factors and chronic pain, but this project seeks deeper, human-centered mechanisms in a controlled perioperative setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Overstreet, Demario S. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Overstreet, Demario S.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
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-
Better Predicting and Personalizing Postoperative Pain Care
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-
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This grant studies how brain circuits control pain after surgery to help develop non-opioid pain medicines for patients.
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Extended-release gel for opioid-free postoperative pain relief
A new injectable gel formulation of bupivacaine is being tested to provide pain relief for several days after surgery without using opioids.
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Better prediction and personalized control of pain after surgery
This project builds computer tools to predict who will have bad pain after surgery and help doctors tailor pain control for patients recovering from operations.
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.