Effects of non-drug treatments on inflammation in young people with chronic sickle cell pain

Nonpharmacological Treatment Effects on Proinflammatory Biomarkers among Youth with Chronic Sickle Cell Pain

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-10686934

This study is looking at how talking therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help young people with sickle cell disease by checking if these treatments can lower inflammation linked to stress and anxiety over two years.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-10686934 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how non-pharmacological treatments, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, can affect inflammation levels in young individuals suffering from chronic pain due to sickle cell disease. It aims to identify specific inflammatory biomarkers that are linked to stress, anxiety, and depression in these patients. By analyzing stored blood samples over a 24-month period, the study will assess whether these biomarkers change after participating in a culturally-informed intervention designed to meet the unique needs of youth with chronic pain. The goal is to provide a more effective, individualized approach to managing chronic pain in this population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 12 to 20 years who experience chronic pain related to sickle cell disease.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have sickle cell disease or those outside the age range of 12 to 20 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies for young patients with sickle cell disease, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using non-pharmacological approaches to manage chronic pain, suggesting that this study's approach could yield beneficial results.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Hb SS disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.