Online group visits to help manage chronic pain
Official title: GEMINI: Virtual Integrative Medical Group Visits for Managing Chronic Pain
Funded at Brightoutcome INC. · NIH-10930853 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new online platform called GEMINI that helps people with chronic pain join group sessions from home, where they can learn helpful techniques like mindfulness and self-management while connecting with others who understand what they're going through.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brightoutcome INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo Grove, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,201,885 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AT012302-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930853 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience chronic pain and are seeking non-pharmacological treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or prefer traditional pharmacological treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a virtual platform called GEMINI that facilitates online Integrative Medical Group Visits (IMGV) for individuals suffering from chronic pain. By using video conferencing, patients can participate in group sessions that focus on non-pharmacological treatments, such as mindfulness and self-management techniques, which are designed to improve their overall well-being. The platform also allows patients to engage in home practice activities tailored to their specific symptoms and preferences, fostering peer support and skill-building. This approach addresses the barriers faced by patients who may have difficulty attending in-person sessions due to physical or practical limitations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide chronic pain patients with effective non-drug treatment options that improve their quality of life and reduce reliance on potentially harmful medications.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar online group interventions for chronic pain management, indicating that this approach is promising and has potential for positive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Brightoutcome INC.
Buffalo Grove, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haas, Niina M. — Brightoutcome INC.
- Study coordinator: Haas, Niina M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding human pain neurons to improve migraine care
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Understanding how to use pharmacogenomic testing to guide chronic pain care
This grant looks at how doctors who treat long‑term pain decide when and how to use genetic testing to tailor pain medicines for safer and more effective care.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
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.