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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,500,000 |
| NIH project number | 1UC2AR086267-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-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
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-
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-
Personalized multicomponent therapy for chronic low back pain using smart patient-based algorithms
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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.