Sickle cell pain integrative care network
Sickle Cell Disease Pain Analgesia And Integrative Network
This project will build a network to create and share integrative, whole‑health approaches to help reduce pain and opioid use in adults with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184419 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, SCDPAIN will connect clinicians, scientists, technologists, and community partners to create and test integrative, whole‑health ways to ease sickle cell pain. The network will bring together clinical sites and research labs to study pain mechanisms and to pilot complementary therapies such as mind‑body practices, physical approaches, and non‑opioid pain strategies. They will use modern technology for data sharing, training, and coordinating multi‑site work, with direct input from patients and communities. Results, educational tools, and best practices will be shared widely so more patients and providers can access effective options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21+) with sickle cell disease who experience recurrent vaso‑occlusive crises or ongoing chronic pain and are interested in complementary or whole‑health approaches.
Not a fit: People without sickle cell disease, children under 21, or those needing immediate emergency care for an active vaso‑occlusive crisis are unlikely to benefit directly from this network activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this network could expand non‑opioid integrative pain options and speed delivery of effective approaches to people living with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have performed: Some smaller trials of integrative therapies (like cognitive‑behavioral therapy, mindfulness, or acupuncture) have shown mixed but promising results for chronic pain, while a coordinated national network focused on sickle cell pain is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gupta, Kalpna — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Gupta, Kalpna
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.