Improving pain management for diverse patients facing stigma and isolation
Official title: Group-based Integrative Pain Management: A multi-level approach to address intersectional stigma and social isolation in diverse primary care safety net patients with chronic pain
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10939620 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve pain management for people from different backgrounds who may not have easy access to care by trying out group visits and acupuncture in primary care clinics, so they can feel less pain and more connected to others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,752,243 |
| NIH project number | 4R33MD018333-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10939620 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are racially diverse individuals from low-income backgrounds who experience chronic pain and face social isolation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are not part of socioeconomically disadvantaged groups may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing pain management for racially diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals by implementing group-based models in primary care clinics. It aims to address barriers such as discrimination and lack of access to non-pharmacologic therapies, which often lead to disparities in pain care. The study will utilize a mixed-methods approach and a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of integrative group medical visits and group acupuncture in reducing pain interference and social isolation among participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide more effective pain management solutions and improve social support for patients suffering from chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that group-based interventions can effectively improve health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chao, Maria T — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chao, Maria T
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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.