How parent-child interactions affect pain expression in children with disabilities
Official title: Dyadic parent-child influences on pain expression and proxy ratings in children with IDD
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10929554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the bond between parents and their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities affects how pain is shown and reported, especially since many of these kids can't talk about their pain, and it aims to help parents better understand and communicate their child's pain during medical procedures like blood draws.
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 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $409,337 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110981-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parent-child dyads where the child is between 1.5 and 5 years old and has been diagnosed with global developmental delay.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 5 years or do not have a diagnosis of global developmental delay may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the relationship between parents and their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) influences the way pain is expressed and reported. Since many children with IDD cannot verbally communicate their pain, parents often act as proxies to interpret their child's pain signals. The study aims to identify specific factors in both the child and parent that affect pain expression and parental pain ratings by observing parent-child interactions during clinical procedures, such as blood draws. By analyzing these interactions, the research seeks to enhance understanding of pain assessment in this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain assessment and management strategies for children with IDD.
How similar studies have gone: While there is substantial evidence on parent-child interactions affecting pain assessment in the general population, this specific approach focusing on children with IDD is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Byiers, Breanne J — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Byiers, Breanne J
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.