Noninvasive brain stimulation for chronic pain relief
Official title: CRP: Noninvasive brain stimulation for chronic pain treatment
Funded at Highland Instruments, INC. · NIH-11395320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to test a noninvasive brain stimulation approach to help people with chronic low back pain feel less pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Highland Instruments, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,916,568 |
| NIH project number | 5SB1AG091887-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic low back pain refractory to conventional therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People whose pain does not respond to brain stimulation or experience adverse effects would not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores a brain-focused treatment that aims to reduce chronic low back pain using noninvasive stimulation. Researchers will work with adults who have long-standing back pain that hasn’t improved with standard care. The study will involve safe, noninvasive procedures and track changes in pain levels and daily function over time. Participants may receive follow-up assessments to understand how well this approach works for managing chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience reduced pain and improved daily functioning without invasive procedures.
How similar studies have gone: Past noninvasive brain stimulation studies have shown mixed but promising results for chronic pain.
Where this research is happening
-
Highland Instruments, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dipietro, Laura — Highland Instruments, INC.
- Study coordinator: Dipietro, Laura
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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.