Personalizing care for children's long-term headaches after COVID-19
Pediatric Chronic Headache and COVID-19: Use of Machine Learning and Biobehavioral Analysis to Classify Headache Mechanism and Optimize Treatment Course.
['FUNDING_R01'] · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-11093400
This project uses brain and behavior tests plus machine learning to sort different types of chronic headaches in children and teens so treatments can be better matched.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11093400 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You'd join a program that follows children and adolescents with ongoing headaches, including some who developed or worsened headaches after COVID-19. The team collects clinical history, behavior questionnaires, pain-modulation tests, and brain measurements to capture each person's biobehavioral signature. They will apply machine learning to build computer models that classify headache subtypes and flag cases that are likely resistant to standard treatments. Study visits would likely include interviews, noninvasive tests, and appointments at Boston Children's Hospital.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and adolescents with chronic or treatment-resistant headaches, particularly those with new or worsening headaches after COVID-19, who can attend study visits.
Not a fit: People with a single short-term headache episode, adults without pediatric-onset headache, or those unable to travel for testing may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors choose treatments that work better for each child's specific headache type and reduce long-term pain and disability.
How similar studies have performed: Some adult and early pediatric studies have used machine learning to find headache patterns, but combining detailed biobehavioral signatures with ML for pediatric post-COVID headaches is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HOLMES, SCOTT — BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: HOLMES, SCOTT
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 below.