NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Personalized perioperative pain prevention for high-risk patients

Official title: Personalizing Perioperative Preventive Analgesia: Translational Studies Investigating the Biopsychosocial Underpinnings of Enhanced Pain Propensity

Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11398276 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A research program at Stanford is exploring why some people have long-lasting pain after surgery and how to prevent it in patients who are most at risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2018
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$437,163
NIH project number5R35GM128691-10
Project IDNIH-11398276 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients scheduled for surgery who are at risk for developing PPSP based on identified risk factors.

Less likely to help

Patients without risk factors for PPSP or those not undergoing surgery may see no direct benefit.

What this research studies

This project follows patients before, during, and after various surgeries to identify who is likely to develop persistent post-surgical pain. It uses a human model to study how pain signals are amplified and how biology, psychology, and social factors contribute to pain after surgery. The goal is to translate basic science findings into practical strategies to prevent PPSP in people undergoing surgery. The work combines longitudinal assessments, psychophysics, and clinical observations to pinpoint risk factors and potential prevention targets.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to personalized strategies to reduce long-term post-surgical pain and opioid exposure for high-risk patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown risk factors and mechanisms in PPSP, but translating these findings into prevention has been challenging and this study aims to advance that translation.

Where this research is happening

  • Stanford University
    Stanford, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Schreiber, Kristin — Stanford University
  • Study coordinator: Schreiber, Kristin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.