Understanding pain differences in people with chronic pain and depression
Official title: Investigating Mechanisms of Intra- and Inter-individual Pain Variability in Patients with Comorbid Chronic Pain and Depression
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11104339 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chronic low back pain and depression work together to affect how much pain people feel, and it’s for anyone dealing with these issues; by using smart technology to gather real-time information, the researchers hope to create personalized tools that can better predict and improve pain management for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 29, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,884,008 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR084797-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11104339 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience chronic low back pain along with major depressive disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic low back pain or major depressive disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chronic low back pain (cLBP) and major depressive disorder (MDD) interact to affect individuals' pain experiences. By using advanced machine learning techniques and real-time assessments, the study aims to create personalized models that predict pain intensity for each participant. This approach considers various biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to pain variability, ultimately aiming to improve treatment outcomes for those affected. Participants will provide data through wearable devices and ecological momentary assessments to help refine these predictive models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, personalized pain management strategies for patients suffering from both chronic pain and depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using machine learning to predict pain outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herbert, Matthew — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Herbert, Matthew
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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.