Helping older adults manage chronic pain through community health workers
Official title: An Efficacy Trial of Community Health Worker-Delivered Chronic Pain Self-Management Support for Vulnerable Older Adults
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10912591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how community health workers can help older African Americans in Detroit manage their chronic pain by teaching them helpful strategies, making it easier for them to find the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $524,065 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG071511-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly African Americans, living in disadvantaged urban communities who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are not part of the targeted demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how community health workers can assist vulnerable older adults, particularly African Americans, in managing chronic pain. The approach focuses on teaching cognitive-behavioral strategies tailored to the unique needs of these individuals, especially in underserved urban areas like Detroit. By utilizing community health workers who understand the local context and barriers, the project aims to improve access to effective pain management resources. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this model in enhancing pain-related functioning among participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide older adults with effective tools to manage chronic pain, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that community health worker-led interventions can be effective in improving health outcomes in underserved populations, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Janevic, Mary Rose — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Janevic, Mary Rose
Related research
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This project will see if community health workers can teach phone-based cognitive-behavioral skills and use simple mobile tools to help older adults with chronic pain feel and function better over a year.
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Using mobile technology to help manage chronic pain through neurofeedback.
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A program to help young Black adults manage chronic pain.
This study is all about creating a friendly program to help young Black adults learn how to better manage their chronic pain, focusing on the specific challenges they face and using workshops led by peers to teach helpful techniques and improve their overall well-being.
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.