Using mindfulness techniques to help veterans manage pain and reduce suicide risk
Official title: Using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to manage pain and mitigate suicide risk in Veterans
Funded at Veterans Health Research Institute of Central New York, INC. · NIH-10794226 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new mindfulness program to help veterans who are living with chronic pain and may be feeling suicidal, to see if it’s a good fit for them and can improve their overall well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Research Institute of Central New York, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $204,705 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AT011004-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10794226 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans experiencing chronic pain and at risk for suicide.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pain or are not at risk for suicide may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) manual specifically designed for veterans dealing with chronic pain and at risk for suicide. The study will assess how feasible and acceptable this treatment is for participants, providing valuable insights for future larger trials. By addressing both pain management and mental health, the research aims to improve the overall functioning of veterans. The project recognizes the unique challenges faced by veterans and seeks to create a combined treatment approach that has not been extensively studied before.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management and reduced suicide risk among veterans.
How similar studies have gone: While mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has shown promise in separate studies for pain and suicide risk, this combined approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Research Institute of Central New York, INC.
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ashrafioun, Lisham — Veterans Health Research Institute of Central New York, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ashrafioun, Lisham
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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.