How chronic jaw pain affects drinking habits in heavy drinkers
Official title: Effects of Pain on Laboratory Drinking Topography and Daily Drinking in People with Chronic TMD Pain
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10943152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chronic jaw pain affects drinking habits in people who drink a lot of alcohol, to see if pain changes the way they drink in everyday life and in controlled settings, which could help us understand if some people use alcohol to cope with their pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $503,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA031815-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10943152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience chronic TMD pain and engage in heavy drinking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic TMD pain or do not consume alcohol heavily may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and drinking behaviors in individuals who consume alcohol heavily. By using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), the study aims to understand how pain influences the way people drink both in controlled laboratory settings and in their daily lives. The research will focus on the drinking topography, which refers to the patterns and microstructure of drinking bouts, to gain insights into the behaviors of those suffering from TMD pain. This could help identify maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as increased alcohol consumption, among those with chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals with chronic pain and alcohol use issues.
How similar studies have gone: While the relationship between pain and alcohol consumption has been noted, this specific investigation into drinking topography in heavy drinkers with chronic TMD pain is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boissoneault, Jeffrey B — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Boissoneault, Jeffrey B
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.