Preventing chronic pain in older adults after acute musculoskeletal injuries
Official title: Reducing the Transition from Acute to Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain among Older Adults
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10539315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping older adults who have sudden pain from injuries, like falls, by teaching them how to make better choices about their treatment, so they can avoid long-lasting pain and feel more in control of their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2019 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $492,532 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG058702-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10539315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 21 and above who present to the emergency department with acute musculoskeletal pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain prior to the acute injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping older adults who experience acute musculoskeletal pain, such as injuries from falls or other accidents, to prevent the development of chronic pain. It aims to improve early treatment strategies by using a shared decision-making approach, where patients are actively involved in their treatment choices. The study will test a three-part intervention that includes an interactive video to educate patients about their treatment options, enhancing their understanding and confidence in managing their pain. By addressing both the medical and behavioral aspects of pain management, the research seeks to improve outcomes for older adults in emergency departments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the number of older adults who develop chronic pain after experiencing acute injuries, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early intervention and shared decision-making can effectively improve pain management outcomes, suggesting a promising approach in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Michelle — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Michelle
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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.