Using heat therapy to improve pain and nerve function after spinal cord injury
Official title: Heat therapy for the treatment of SCI-induced changes in nociceptor and mitochondrial function
Funded at Kansas City VA Medical Center · NIH-10815555 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using heat therapy might help reduce chronic pain and improve nerve function for people with spinal cord injuries, especially veterans, by calming inflammation and helping nerves work better without relying on pain medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kansas City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK1RX003987-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10815555 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with spinal cord injuries experiencing chronic pain, particularly veterans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without spinal cord injuries or those not experiencing chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how heat therapy can help alleviate chronic pain and improve nerve function in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The study focuses on understanding the changes in pain-sensing neurons and mitochondrial function that occur after SCI. By applying heat therapy, the researchers aim to reduce inflammation and restore normal function in the affected nerves, potentially leading to better pain management without the use of opioids. The approach involves both animal models and potential applications for human patients, particularly veterans who are disproportionately affected by SCI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-opioid treatment option for chronic pain in patients with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with heat therapy in managing pain and improving nerve function, suggesting that this approach may be effective for spinal cord injury patients as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Kansas City VA Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eller, Olivia — Kansas City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Eller, Olivia
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.