Using peer stories to help older adults manage chronic pain
Official title: Development and preliminary testing of a peer narrative video intervention for older adults with chronic pain
Funded at Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) · NIH-10942720 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how sharing stories from peers can help older adults manage chronic pain and enjoy life more, using friendly techniques that focus on acceptance and mindfulness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $421,329 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG089083-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10942720 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain, such as back pain, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or are under 21 years old may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a video intervention that shares peer narratives to help older adults cope with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The approach utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles, which emphasize mindfulness and psychological acceptance, to encourage individuals to pursue meaningful activities despite their pain. By using storytelling, the intervention aims to make coping strategies more relatable and accessible for older adults who may struggle with traditional therapy methods. The study will assess how effective these peer narratives are in improving the quality of life for participants dealing with chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide older adults with effective tools to better manage their chronic pain and improve their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that narrative-based interventions can be effective in promoting behavior change, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uebelacker, Lisa a — Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
- Study coordinator: Uebelacker, Lisa a
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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.