Training to improve understanding between patients and clinicians to enhance pain relief
Official title: Impact of Theory of Mind Training on Brain-to-Brain Patient-Clinician Concordance
Funded at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NIH-11249754 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how teaching chronic pain patients to better understand their own and their doctors' feelings can help them connect more effectively, which might lead to better pain relief, especially with 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) | $63,852 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AT012144-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11249754 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions, particularly those who may benefit from acupuncture therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are not interested in acupuncture therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how training in understanding others' thoughts and feelings, known as Theory of Mind (ToM), can improve the connection between chronic pain patients and their clinicians. By using advanced brain imaging techniques, the study aims to explore how this enhanced connection can lead to better pain management outcomes, particularly through acupuncture therapy. Patients will participate in training designed to improve their ability to empathize and communicate with their clinicians, potentially leading to improved pain relief and overall treatment effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies for chronic pain patients through enhanced patient-clinician interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing patient outcomes through improved clinician-patient interactions, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Charlestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Napadow, Vitaly — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Study coordinator: Napadow, Vitaly
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.