Refugee torture survivors: pain, blood pressure, and stroke over time
Official title: Prevalence and Associations of Protracted Torture-Related Physical Pain, Hypertension, and Stroke History in Refugees: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11382266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We’re following 250 adult refugees who experienced torture to see how common long-lasting pain, high blood pressure, and stroke history are, and how these issues relate to health and social factors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $495,881 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS144041-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who are refugees, more than 10 years post-torture, and attending the medical-legal clinic for care.
✕Less likely to help
Refugees without a history of torture-related pain or those not meeting the >10-year post-torture criterion may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project enrolls 250 adult refugees who are more than 10 years past torture and tracks them for two years at a clinical site in the U.S. to map how protracted torture-related pain relates to hypertension and past stroke, as well as mental health and social determinants. Researchers will collect pain measurements, blood pressure data, medical histories, and social factors to understand patterns and possible connections. The goal is to use what’s learned to improve clinical care and support for torture survivors. The study builds on a long track record of refugee health research and uses established methods in a clinical setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better screening and management of pain and cardiovascular risk in torture survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Prior feasibility work supports the proposed aims, suggesting this approach can reveal meaningful associations.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaur, Gunisha — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Kaur, Gunisha
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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.