Funded Projects

Explore our currently funded projects. You may search with all three fields, then focus your results by applying any of the dropdown filters. After customizing your search, you may download results and even save your specific search for later.

Project # Project Title Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Sort descending Year Awarded
1UG3AR083838-01
Improving Function and Reducing Opioid Use for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in Rural Communities Through Improved Access to Physical Therapy Using Telerehabilitation Clinical Research in Pain Management Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations NIAMS JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SKOLASKY, RICHARD L (contact); MCLAUGHLIN, KEVIN Baltimore, MD 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trials Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NR-23-001
Summary:

Physical therapy is the recommended treatment for patients with low back pain and is a cost-effective method for improving pain and reducing disability. However, only 7-13% of patients receive physical therapy services. Access is particularly limited in rural communities due to lack of provider availability, transportation, and missed work time. These factors have contributed to more low back pain-related disability and opioid use among rural populations. Physical therapy delivered through telemedicine may improve access by reducing patient-reported barriers. This randomized clinical trial will compare an innovative, patient-centered telemedicine version of physical therapy to a currently used psychologically based educational approach for rural patients with chronic low back pain. The research will match individual patients to a treatment approach based on their psychosocial risk of poor outcomes.

1U44NS115111-01
High-Resolution, Spinal Cord Stimulation for Non-Opioid Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Translating Discoveries into Effective Devices to Treat Pain NINDS MICRO-LEADS, INC. MCLAUGHLIN, BRYAN L Somerville, MA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Translational Devices to Treat Pain (U44 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-017
Summary:

The research team will develop HD64—a high-resolution, 64-channel spinal cord stimulation therapy to provide more pain relief for those suffering from chronic neuropathic pain and opioid dependence. HD64 provides an ultra-thin conformal blanket of stimulation contacts across the width of the spinal cord and enables more precise targeting of the lateral structures of the spinal cord to enhance pain relief. A cadaveric pilot run followed by a non-significant risk intraoperative study will be performed to inform the design parameters of HD64 arrays. The study will evaluate activation of medial and lateral spinal targets. At the end of Phase 1, the clinical feasibility of HD64 surgical leads will be established. In Phase 2, researchers will develop an external active lead pulse generator and charger. They will perform an early feasibility study human trial using active HD64 and mechanical and electrical design verification testing and chronic safety studies in large animals.

3U44NS115111-02S1
High-Resolution, Spinal Cord Stimulation for Non-Opioid Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management NINDS MICRO-LEADS, INC. MCLAUGHLIN, BRYAN L Somerville, MA 2020
NOFO Title: Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PA18-591
Summary:

This project aims to develop and clinically validate a 64-channel spinal cord stimulation therapy for treating chronic neuropathic pain of the lower extremities, groin, and lower back. With an increased channel count and the ability to precisely target medial and lateral structures of the spinal cord, the system will treat chronic pain with greater efficacy and reduced side effects. This project will pursue a safe, effective, and non-addictive treatment for neuropathic pain through the testing of enhanced HD64 active leads to be manufactured under GMP regulations. The leads will then undergo electrical, mechanical, biocompatibility, and sterilization testing before being tested in a 10-subject early feasibility study.

3U44NS115111-03S1
High-Resolution, Spinal Cord Stimulation for Non-Opioid Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management NINDS MICRO-LEADS, INC. MCLAUGHLIN, BRYAN L Somerville, MA 2021
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest to Encourage Eligible NIH HEAL Initiative Awardees to Apply for PA-20-222: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-20-107
Summary:

This research seeks to develop a high-resolution spinal cord stimulation therapy for treating chronic neuropathic pain of the lower extremities, groin, and lower back. Systems that use wireless communication methods require robust strategies to prevent various forms of cyberattacks on implantable devices. The focus of this project's research will be to develop a new cybersecurity risk-reduced architecture for Bluetooth low-energy implant communication.