NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

UCSF REACH: smarter understanding of chronic low back pain using big data and models

Official title: UCSF REACH Multimodal Modeling in Chronic Low Back Pain

Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11211838 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A big NIH grant will help UCSF build and test a data-driven model to understand chronic low back pain and guide better care.

More Low Back Pain research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2026
Project endAugust 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$1,500,000
NIH project number1UC2AR086267-01
Project IDNIH-11211838 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with chronic low back pain who participate in or contribute to the comeBACK and BACKHOME data resources or related cohorts.

Less likely to help

Patients not represented in the data resources or not fitting the model’s focus may see limited direct benefit.

What this research studies

REACH creates a rich, patient-focused resource by combining large observational cohorts, deep imaging, biospecimens, and biomechanical data to understand chronic low back pain. The project will turn a complex theory into a computable model and test it against patient data from multiple sources, with an emphasis on practical, testable classifications. This work relies on advanced data integration and pilot awards to apply the model to real-world patient care within the INTERACT network.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to more precise diagnoses and personalized treatments for people with chronic low back pain.

How similar studies have gone: Previous large observational studies have informed multi-source models; this project extends that work with a computable, testable theoretical model.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lotz, Jeffrey C. — University of California, San Francisco
  • Study coordinator: Lotz, Jeffrey C.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.