Understanding how chronic pain affects emotions and thinking in dogs.

Innovative modeling of the biopsychosocial model in animals: Validation of outcomes for assessing emotional and cognitive domains affected by naturally-occurring chronic pain in dogs

NIH-funded research North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11050788

This study looks at how chronic pain from osteoarthritis affects the feelings and thinking of pet dogs, and it aims to create new ways to measure these impacts so we can find better treatments for both dogs and people dealing with similar pain.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorth Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Raleigh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11050788 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the emotional and cognitive impacts of chronic pain, specifically osteoarthritis, in pet dogs. By developing and validating new assessment tools, the study aims to better understand how pain affects dogs' behavior and mental functions. The findings could help improve treatment strategies for both dogs and humans suffering from similar conditions. The research utilizes a unique animal model to bridge the gap between human and animal pain experiences.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pet dogs diagnosed with chronic osteoarthritis.

Not a fit: Patients who do not own dogs or whose dogs do not have chronic pain conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies for dogs, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While research on chronic pain in animals is ongoing, this specific approach of integrating emotional and cognitive assessments in dogs is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Raleigh, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.