Improving chronic pain management for Veterans
Official title: HSR&D Research Career Scientist Award
Funded at Rlr VA Medical Center · NIH-10898654 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Veterans manage their chronic pain better by improving communication and support, especially for Black Veterans, so they can make informed choices about their care and feel more engaged in their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rlr VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK6HX003768-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898654 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans experiencing chronic pain, particularly those from racial minority groups who may face disparities in pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pain or are not Veterans may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance chronic pain management for Veterans by focusing on health communication, patient engagement, and relationship-centered care. The principal investigator has transitioned from observational studies to interventional approaches, developing programs that support Veterans in managing their pain. Key interventions include peer-supported self-management programs and coaching for Black Veterans to address disparities in pain treatment. The research also emphasizes shared decision-making to help patients adhere to effective nonpharmacologic pain treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies and better health outcomes for Veterans suffering from chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in improving pain management through similar patient-centered approaches, indicating a promising avenue for this work.
Where this research is happening
-
Rlr VA Medical Center
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matthias, Marianne S — Rlr VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Matthias, Marianne S
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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.