Understanding and Treating Long-Lasting Pain After Surgery

Chronic Postsurgical Pain Across the Lifespan: Brain State and Treatment

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11143172

This work explores why some people experience pain for a long time after surgery and looks for better ways to help them, especially focusing on how the brain and different life stages play a role.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorMASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11143172 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Many people continue to feel pain for months after surgery, which can greatly affect their daily lives and sometimes leads to reliance on pain medications. This project aims to understand the reasons behind this chronic pain by looking at a person's overall health, their mental well-being, and how their brain functions. By combining information from clinical observations and brain measurements, we hope to identify factors that either protect against or contribute to long-lasting pain. The goal is to develop more effective strategies to prevent and treat this type of pain across all age groups.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for related future studies might include individuals of various ages who are preparing for surgery or who are currently experiencing chronic pain after a surgical procedure.

Not a fit: Patients whose pain is not related to a surgical procedure or who are not experiencing chronic pain would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to predict, prevent, and treat chronic pain after surgery, potentially reducing the need for opioid medications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this researcher has identified long-term pain patterns and predictors in young people, and animal models have provided insights into chronic postsurgical pain mechanisms.

Where this research is happening

BOSTON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.