Neurobiological and psychosocial factors that may turn acute teen pain into chronic pain
Official title: Neurobiological and psychosocial risk for transition from acute to chronic musculoskeletal pain in adolescence
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11395328 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study following teenagers with acute musculoskeletal pain to understand why some develop chronic pain and how biology and psychology interact to shape their outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $630,031 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR080228-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395328 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens and young adults experiencing acute musculoskeletal pain, especially those seeking treatment for spine, knee, or foot/ankle pain.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with chronic pain at enrollment or those not presenting for acute pain may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why acute musculoskeletal pain in adolescence sometimes becomes a long-lasting problem. Researchers will explore brain activity, pain patterns, and psychological and social factors in teens seeking care for acute pain. The study combines neuroimaging with surveys and interviews to identify risk factors and potential targets for early interventions. The goal is to inform new treatments that can prevent chronic pain and improve quality of life for adolescents and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to earlier, personalized strategies to prevent chronic pain in teens.
How similar studies have gone: This appears to be among the first neuroimaging investigations of this transition in youth, indicating novel but exploratory potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Anna Camille — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Anna Camille
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.