Exploring how diet affects pain relief in different racial groups
Diet Interventions, by Race, Evaluated as Complementary Treatments for Pain (DIRECTPain)
This study is looking at how low-carb diets might help relieve knee pain for people with osteoarthritis, especially comparing experiences between Black and White adults, and we're inviting 200 participants to try this diet for three weeks to see if it can be a helpful way to manage pain without medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10874649 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of low-carbohydrate diets on pain relief in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, focusing on differences between Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White adults. The study aims to recruit 200 participants, equally divided between the two racial groups, to assess how dietary changes can serve as a complementary treatment for pain management. Participants will undergo a 3-week diet run-up to evaluate their responses to dietary interventions. The goal is to identify effective, non-pharmacological alternatives for pain relief that consider racial differences in metabolism and pain experience.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White adults aged 21 and older who suffer from knee osteoarthritis.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have knee osteoarthritis or are not part of the specified racial groups may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide tailored dietary interventions that significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life for individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results for dietary interventions in pain management, but this specific focus on racial differences is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sorge, Robert — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Sorge, Robert
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 below.