Mechanical signs from the spine’s discs that predict when back pain becomes long-lasting
Official title: Mechanical Biomarkers of Chronic Low Back Pain
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11446556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke study aims to use new imaging and personal factors to see if the mechanical health of spinal discs can predict when acute low back pain becomes chronic.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $663,017 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AR075399-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with acute low back pain who may be at risk of developing chronic pain, particularly those whose disc mechanics and psychosocial factors are relevant to their pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose back pain resolves quickly or whose condition does not involve disc mechanics or biopsychosocial risk factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will look at how the mechanical function of the intervertebral disc relates to turning an acute back pain episode into a chronic one. Researchers will use innovative in vivo imaging to measure disc mechanics and collect biopsychosocial data to identify patient subgroups. The goal is to improve how we predict and personalize care for people with low back pain by combining physical disc function with psychological and social factors. The study is designed to help tailor early interventions to those most at risk of chronic pain based on disc mechanics plus other factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive earlier, more personalized treatments that target disc mechanics and individual biobehavioral profiles to prevent chronic back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests disc mechanics and biopsychosocial factors together influence pain trajectories, with some promising but early findings on phenotyping low back pain.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goode, Adam — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Goode, Adam
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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.