Understanding sleep patterns in adolescents with abdominal pain disorders
Official title: Disrupted sleep architecture in adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11013333 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep patterns impact teenagers with tummy pain and whether a special treatment called PENFS can help them sleep better and feel less pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $191,007 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK135797-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013333 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents diagnosed with functional abdominal pain disorders who experience sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without functional abdominal pain disorders or those who do not experience sleep issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sleep architecture affects adolescents suffering from functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD). It aims to understand the relationship between sleep quality and gastrointestinal symptoms by using advanced sleep monitoring techniques. The study will also evaluate the effects of a specific therapy, Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS), on sleep patterns and pain relief. By comparing sleep data before and after treatment, the research seeks to uncover important insights that could improve patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatment strategies for adolescents with abdominal pain by addressing sleep disturbances.
How similar studies have gone: While there is preliminary data suggesting the importance of sleep in FAPD, this specific approach to objectively measure sleep architecture in relation to treatment outcomes is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santucci, Neha Richard — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Santucci, Neha Richard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving ultrasound use for diagnosing abdominal pain in rural children
This project tests ways to bring affordable, radiation-free ultrasound to kids with belly pain in rural areas.
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Circadian rhythms and abdominal pain in teens
Teens with functional abdominal pain may have a body clock timing issue, and this study looks at how circadian phase relates to their pain and daily functioning.
-
Online parent program to help prevent tummy pain in young children
An internet-based program for parents with IBS that teaches ways to lower their 4–6 year-old children's risk of developing tummy pain and related worry.
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Internet-based intervention to help young children at risk for abdominal pain
This study is testing a helpful online program for parents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to see if it can reduce tummy aches in their young kids aged 4-6 by teaching parents ways to manage stress and model healthier habits.
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Home-based electrical stimulation for abdominal pain relief
This study is testing a gentle, needle-free method called transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) to help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manage their abdominal pain more easily at home or work, and it will also include a handy app to help track treatment progress.
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Improving decision-making for children with abdominal pain in emergency departments
This study is looking at how to better diagnose and treat kids with tummy pain in emergency rooms by involving both doctors and families in the decision-making process, with the hope of reducing unnecessary tests and keeping kids safe.
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.