Immune and nerve signals behind acupuncture relief for sickle cell pain
Official title: Immunological mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia in patients with sickle cell disease
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11595810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how acupuncture helps reduce pain and opioid use for people with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $643,433 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AT012909-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with sickle cell disease who experience VOC and chronic pain and are candidates for acupuncture therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without sickle cell disease or those not seeking acupuncture-based pain relief may not benefit.
What this research studies
Pain from sickle cell disease has two phases: constant background pain and painful VOC episodes. The study aims to uncover how acupuncture changes immune and nervous system signals to alleviate pain and potentially lower opioid needs during VOC. Researchers will examine patient experiences and biological markers to connect acupuncture with improved symptoms and quality of life. This work could guide safer, more effective pain management for Black and African American patients with SCD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to safer pain relief strategies that reduce opioid use and improve QoL for people with SCD.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data from a prior trial suggest acupuncture may reduce pain and opioid needs in SCD, but full mechanistic understanding is still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Ying — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Wang, Ying
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Sickle Cell Disease Pain Analgesia and Integrative Network for Better Pain Care
A national network is being built to better understand and manage pain in adults with sickle cell disease using integrative, whole-health approaches.
-
Sickle cell pain integrative care network
This project will build a network to create and share integrative, whole‑health approaches to help reduce pain and opioid use in adults with sickle cell disease.
-
Creating a network to improve pain management in sickle cell disease
This study is all about helping people with sickle cell disease by finding better ways to understand and manage their pain, bringing together experts and community members to work on new solutions that can improve their daily lives.
-
Using acupuncture and relaxation techniques to manage chronic pain in sickle cell disease
This study is looking at how well acupuncture and relaxation techniques can help people with sickle cell disease manage their chronic pain, and it will involve 360 patients to see how these treatments can fit into regular healthcare.
-
Digital twins of the spleen to help design better therapies for sickle cell disease
A computer-driven replica of the spleen is being developed to speed up creating safer and more effective treatments for people with sickle cell disease.
-
Accelerating hydroxyurea use for sickle cell disease in Nigeria
A pragmatic study in Nigeria aims to help doctors use hydroxyurea more consistently for people with sickle cell disease.
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.