Understanding how chronic pain affects mental function and quality of life in Veterans
Official title: Mental Function And Quality Of Life With Chronic Pain
Funded at VA Veterans Administration Hospital · NIH-10854873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chronic pain affects the mental well-being and daily life of Veterans, and it aims to find ways to better support them by understanding their feelings about pain and how it relates to their mood and ability to function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Veterans Administration Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX003723-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10854873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans experiencing chronic pain, particularly those whose pain may have psychological components.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pain or whose pain is solely due to physical injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between chronic pain and psychological factors in Veterans, focusing on how these factors impact their mental function and overall quality of life. The study aims to identify subconscious biases towards pain that may correlate with mood symptoms and disability. By assessing Veterans at a pain clinic and comparing them with those attending non-pain-related appointments, the research seeks to develop objective markers for treatment planning. This could help tailor rehabilitation plans to improve outcomes for those suffering from chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatment strategies for Veterans with chronic pain, enhancing their mental health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding the psychological aspects of chronic pain, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Veterans Administration Hospital
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bjork, James M — VA Veterans Administration Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bjork, James M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Motor cortex tricks to ease chronic pain
A study in rodents and people tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce chronic pain and how best to target it.
-
Human pain center study to map normal and migraine-trigeminal neurons
A large NIH-funded project will map and study the human trigeminal neurons involved in migraines to understand what changes in these cells during headache conditions.
-
Understanding human pain neurons to improve migraine care
Researchers are studying human pain-sensing neurons to uncover what makes migraine start and persist, with the goal of better treatments for people who experience migraines.
-
Whole Person Pain Algorithm to personalize chronic pain care
A new, evidence-based model helps explain why chronic low back pain affects people differently and could guide personalized diagnosis and treatment.
-
Understanding how to use pharmacogenomic testing to guide chronic pain care
This grant looks at how doctors who treat long‑term pain decide when and how to use genetic testing to tailor pain medicines for safer and more effective care.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
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.