NIH-funded research R03 grant

Exploring new therapies for managing chronic pain through advanced analysis methods

Official title: Fostering knowledge translation of neuroplasticity-targeted interventions for chronic pain management using advanced meta-analytic methods and statistical learning

Funded at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NIH-10789030 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring new ways to help people with chronic pain by using special therapies that change how the brain processes pain, and it's designed for those who haven't found relief with regular pain medications.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSpaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlestown, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2024
Project endMay 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$170,000
NIH project number1R03AG085084-01
Project IDNIH-10789030 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain who have not found relief with standard pain medications.

Less likely to help

Patients with acute pain conditions or those who do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates innovative therapies aimed at managing chronic pain by focusing on neuroplasticity-targeted interventions (NTIs). It employs advanced statistical methods and machine learning to analyze the effectiveness of various NTIs, which include techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The goal is to identify the best combinations of these therapies to improve pain relief for patients, especially those who have not responded well to traditional pain medications. By understanding how different treatments work together, the research aims to create personalized pain management strategies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for chronic pain, improving quality of life for many patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neuroplasticity-targeted interventions for pain management, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

  • Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
    Charlestown, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Pacheco, Kevin — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Pacheco, Kevin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Understanding how the brain controls pain to improve treatment for chronic pain

    This study is looking at how well the brain can block pain in people with chronic pain, using special tools to see how their brains respond, with the hope of finding better ways to help manage their pain.

    NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11053624

  • Improving chronic pain management for Veterans

    This study is working on a helpful tool for Veterans with chronic pain that lets them share their experiences and preferences, so they can work together with their healthcare providers to find the best treatment options, including alternatives to opioids.

    NIH research Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · Palo Alto, United States · NIH-10998031

  • Improving pain management for diverse patients facing stigma and isolation

    This study is looking to improve pain management for people from different backgrounds who may not have easy access to care by trying out group visits and acupuncture in primary care clinics, so they can feel less pain and more connected to others.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-10939620

  • Understanding chronic pain and its management in older adults

    This study is looking at how common chronic pain is in older adults aged 65 and up, and it wants to learn more about how they manage their pain and how it affects their daily lives, so we can better understand their needs.

    NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-10851800

  • 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

  • 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

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.