Investigating work accommodations for low-wage workers with chronic pain
Official title: Exploring Work Accommodations for Low-Wage Workers with Chronic Pain-Related Conditions: A Multi-Level Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10998724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different workplace adjustments can help low-wage workers who deal with chronic pain, and it aims to understand their experiences in getting the support they need to do their jobs comfortably.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $37,461 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NR021349-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-wage workers aged 21 and older who experience chronic pain-related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not low-wage workers or do not experience chronic pain-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how work accommodations can support low-wage workers suffering from chronic pain-related conditions. It employs a mixed-methods approach, starting with a quantitative analysis of the frequency and types of accommodations provided, followed by qualitative interviews to understand the experiences of these workers in obtaining such accommodations. The goal is to identify barriers and facilitators in the workplace that affect the ability of these individuals to receive necessary support. By integrating both quantitative and qualitative data, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of work accommodations on health equity for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved workplace policies that better support low-wage workers with chronic pain, enhancing their ability to maintain employment and improve their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically on work accommodations for low-wage workers with chronic pain, similar studies have shown that workplace accommodations can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcarthur, Randi — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Mcarthur, Randi
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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.