Training to improve understanding between patients and clinicians for better pain management
Official title: Impact of Theory of Mind Training on Brain-to-Brain Patient-Clinician Concordance
Funded at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NIH-11010012 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how teaching people with fibromyalgia to better understand and connect with their doctors can improve their pain management, especially when using acupuncture.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlestown, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $590,645 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT012144-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010012 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from fibromyalgia or chronic pain conditions who are seeking improved pain management techniques.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain conditions or those not experiencing chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how training in understanding others' mental states, known as Theory of Mind (ToM), can enhance the connection between chronic pain patients and their clinicians. By using advanced brain imaging techniques, the study aims to explore how this improved connection can lead to better pain management outcomes, particularly through acupuncture therapy. The approach involves training patients with fibromyalgia to enhance their ability to empathize and communicate with their clinicians, potentially leading to improved therapeutic alliances and pain relief.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management strategies for chronic pain patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing patient-clinician interactions through similar training approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Charlestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Napadow, Vitaly — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Study coordinator: Napadow, Vitaly
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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.