NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Finding better ways to manage back pain without opioids in community clinics

Official title: Nonpharmacologic Pain Management in FQHC primary care clinics

Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10924038 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking for ways to help people with back pain feel better without using medications, especially for those in rural and low-income areas, and you can join in to try out these new treatment options that follow the latest guidelines for managing chronic pain.

More Primary Care research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Utah
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project startSeptember 25, 2020
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$992,357
NIH project number5UH3NR019943-05
Project IDNIH-10924038 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic back pain who seek care at federally-qualified health centers.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have back pain or those who are not seeking care at FQHCs may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving pain management for patients with back pain in federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) by exploring nonpharmacologic treatment options. It aims to address the challenges faced by primary care providers in rural and low-income areas, where access to effective pain management alternatives is limited. The project will involve a planning phase followed by a clinical trial that tests various strategies to implement these non-drug interventions effectively. Patients will be able to participate in this trial to receive care that aligns with current guidelines recommending non-opioid treatments for chronic pain.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with effective pain management options that reduce reliance on opioids.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that nonpharmacologic approaches can be effective in managing chronic pain, suggesting potential success for this study's approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Utah
    Salt Lake City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Fritz, Julie M — University of Utah
  • Study coordinator: Fritz, Julie M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Primary Care HEART-NET: boosting access to research in the Deep South

    A collaboration across three universities will build primary care research networks in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi to improve access to care and help prevent and manage chronic diseases.

    NIH research University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11618658

  • Primary Care Bridge: Building Research in Diverse Geographic Settings

    A national network hub in New Mexico will connect rural clinics and communities to faster, more usable primary care research so patients in underserved areas can benefit from new evidence.

    NIH research University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · Albuquerque, United States · NIH-11618652

  • WREN: Expanding Research Capacity in Rural Primary Care Clinics

    A nationwide network in Wisconsin will strengthen rural primary care clinics to participate in real-world research and bring more clinical trials to communities.

    NIH research University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, United States · NIH-11618649

  • Primary care research network in Oklahoma to boost rural patient trials

    A nationwide NIH-supported effort to strengthen Oklahoma’s primary care research network so doctors can run big clinical trials and real‑world studies in rural communities.

    NIH research University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · Oklahoma City, United States · NIH-11618645

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.