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
3U24NS113844-02S1
EPPIC-NET DCC Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PETKOVA, EVA (contact); TROXEL, ANDREA B New York, NY 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:

There is a clear public health imperative to improve the care and outcomes of people who experience severe acute and chronic pain. The Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) is charged with conducting deep phenotyping and biomarker studies for specific pain conditions – and with conducting high-quality phase II clinical trials to test novel non-opioid pain treatments with academic and industry partners. This research will extend EPPIC-Net’s current portfolio to develop novel and efficient data-analytic methodologies for complex medical data, such as those that are expected to be generated by the clinical trials conducted by EPPIC-Net.

1OT2NS122680-01
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel, 20-week, Phase 2b Study of Topical Pirenzepine (WST-057) or Placebo in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI ROBINSON-PAPP, JESSICA New York, NY 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: EPPIC-Net Pain Research - Application for Clinical Trial and Related Activities (OT2)
NOFO Number: OTA-20-008
Summary:

People with diabetes are at risk for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This pain may be experienced as burning, aching, hypersensitivity to touch, or simply as pain, and there are no currently FDA-approved medications that reduce its symptoms. This phase 2 clinical trial, through the EPPIC-NET program, will test a potential new treatment for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The treatment, WST-057 (topical pirenzepine 4%), is a molecule that was developed in the 1980s and marketed throughout Europe and Asia in an oral form to treat gastric ulcers. Studies show that this type of molecule can increase the density of certain nerve fibers, which has been linked with improve patient-reported outcome measures for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

3U24NS113844-03S1
EPPIC-NET DCC Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TROXEL, ANDREA B (contact); YU, CHANG New York, NY 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:

There is a clear public health imperative to improve the care and outcomes of people who experience severe acute and chronic pain. The Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) is charged with conducting deep phenotyping and biomarker studies for specific pain conditions – and with conducting high-quality phase II clinical trials to test novel non-opioid pain treatments with academic and industry partners. This research will extend EPPIC-Net’s current portfolio to develop novel and efficient data-analytic methodologies for complex medical data, such as those that are expected to be generated by the clinical trials conducted by EPPIC-Net.

1UG3CA261067-01
Optimizing the Use of Ketamine to Reduce Chronic Postsurgical Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NINDS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WANG, JING (contact); DOAN, LISA New York, NY 2020
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network: Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-20-028
Summary:

Approximately 20% of patients who undergo surgery develop chronic pain, or Chronic Postsurgical Pain (CPSP). CPSP is highly associated with impaired functional recovery and persistent opioid use and dependence, and current standard postoperative multimodal analgesia is only moderately effective for its prevention. This study aims to determine whether the use of ketamine during and/or after surgery prevents Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome (PMPS), one of the most common CPSP conditions. Ketamine is a low-risk treatment option that is easy to implement in a wide range of clinical settings. If successful, this treatment could improve postoperative pain management in individuals undergoing mastectomy and help combat the opioid epidemic.

1U24NS113844-01
EPPIC-NET DCC Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PETKOVA, EVA (contact); TROXEL, ANDREA B New York, NY 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network - Data Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-024
Summary:

The Data Coordinating Center (DCC) of the Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) will be the data and biospecimen manager for pain research within the HEAL Partnership. As such, it will host, manage, standardize, curate, and provide a sharing platform for data and biospecimens for HEAL initiatives, such as the Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures initiative and the BACPAC, in addition to EPPIC-Net studies. The DCC will develop and maintain a databank for depositing data, will link these data with a repository for biological samples, and will create a platform for teams to work together to analyze and interpret data. Further, the DCC will provide leadership in the statistical design and analysis of EPPIC-Net studies and will deploy advanced systems and processes for data collection, management, quality assurance, and reporting. The DCC will create, sustain, and continually advance a robust organization for the rapid design, implementation, and performance of high-quality rigorous Phase II clinical trials to test promising therapeutics for pain.

1UG3NS135170-01
Predictive Biosignature for Endoscopic Therapy for Chronic Pancreatitis Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NINDS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE DOAN, LISA (contact); CHEN, ZHE SAGE; GONDA, TAMAS ADAM; PARK, HYUNG; WANG, JING New York, NY 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery of Biomarkers and Biomarker Signatures to Facilitate Clinical Trials for Pain Therapeutics (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-050
Summary:

Chronic pancreatitis is a painful condition often caused by long-term alcohol use, and patients often require treatment with strong pain medications, including opioids. Therefore, alternative treatments for chronic pancreatitis are needed. This project will use machine learning approaches to create a prediction tool based on electroencephalography analyses, sensory tests, and psychological questionnaires that can help determine which patients with chronic pancreatitis will benefit most from a specific type of treatment called endoscopic therapy.

1U24NS113849-01
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) EPPIC-Net Specialized Clinical Center Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI ROBINSON-PAPP, JESSICA New York, NY 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network - Specialized Clinical Centers (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-025
Summary:

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) will support the mission of the Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net), through the ISMMS Department of Neurology as the core of a hub and spokes structure. The study contains four specific aims: (1) to streamline and optimize rapid implementation of EPPIC-Net studies, exceeding the required minimum of 100 subjects recruited per year to EPPIC-Net studies; (2) to ensure access to patient populations with a wide range of pain disorders, including CLBP, using a hub and spokes model to ensure effective recruitment; (3) to provide the highest-quality protocol implementation, deep clinical phenotyping of pain disorders, and accurate and complete data collection; and (4) to work collaboratively with the EPPIC-Net Coordinating Centers and investigators from the NIH HEAL Partnership to assist with development/design of clinical trials. The study team will also increase training opportunities through EPPIC-Net within ISMMS and the larger pain research community, training junior investigators to become future pain clinical trials leaders and increase and disseminate knowledge about pain research throughout the network.

1U24NS113847-01
Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network: Greater New York Clinical Center Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE DOAN, LISA (contact); LIPTON, RICHARD B New York, NY 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network - Specialized Clinical Centers (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-025
Summary:

The Greater New York Clinical Center (GNYCC) aims to engage experts in pain research and pain practice to build the infrastructure required to support the objectives of the Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net). The GNYCC will provide expertise and resources to perform phase 2 clinical trials to test the efficacy of novel pain treatments, as well as phenotyping and biomarker studies that will enable customized treatments. The consortium comprises four major academic centers in New York City, one of the most diverse cities in the United States and the nation’s largest metropolitan area. We will 1) build infrastructure to rapidly access clinical trial resources and a network of investigators and clinical leaders, 2) develop a plan for swift evaluation and launch of proposed studies, and 3) optimize patient retention and monitor sites to ensure protocol adherence, data quality, and efficiency.

3UH3CA261067-02S1
Optimizing the use of ketamine to reduce chronic postsurgical pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NCI NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WANG, JING (contact); DOAN, LISA New York, NY 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:

Social determinants of heath may affect breast cancer diagnosis and disease staging at time of mastectomy. It is unclear if socioeconomic factors such as annual income, marital status/single parent household, number of children, distance from the hospital, and other life stressors facing individuals from under-resourced populations affect development of postmastectomy pain syndrome or response to the drug ketamine. This research will analyze these factors toward mitigating post-mastectomy pain. This analysis will also serve as the basis for further research to define pathways that minimize health disparities plays in the development of chronic, post-surgical pain. The ultimate goal of this research is to normalize risk for chronic pain after breast surgery.

 

3U24NS113849-01S1
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) EPPIC-Net Specialized Clinical Center Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI ROBINSON-PAPP, JESSICA New York, NY 2020
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest to Encourage Eligible NIH HEAL Initiative Awardees to Apply for Administrative Supplements to Promote Training in Clinical Research on Pain (Admin Supp ? Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-20-044
Summary:

Exacerbation of health disparities has emerged during the COVID 19 pandemic and highlighted the recognition that minority underrepresentation in clinical research may contribute to racial disparities in health outcomes. In clinical trials related to pain, disparities in trial patient inclusion are documented by white patients often being overrepresented. Mitigating these disparities is an area in which an early-career pain investigator training and contributions may have lasting benefits. The pandemic also drove rapid expansion of telehealth for pain management without knowledge of how social and demographic factors affect utilization patterns of this care delivery model. This supplement supports research to examine the extent to which disparities exist in access to and outcomes of telehealth in socially marginalized pain patients. Findings will be applied to enrich the diversity in clinical trial populations for phase 2 safety trials performed in the HEAL EPPIC Network.

1OT2NS122680-01
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of 80 mg o.d. of NRD135S.El Versus Placebo in Adult and Elderly Subjects with Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (SERENDIPITY-I) Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI ROBINSON-PAPP, JESSICA New York, NY 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: EPPIC-Net Pain Research Asset Application (OT2)
NOFO Number: OTA-20-008
Summary:

People with diabetes are at risk for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This pain may be experienced as burning, aching, hypersensitivity to touch, or simply as pain, and there are no currently FDA-approved medications that reduce its symptoms. This phase 2 clinical trial, through the EPPIC-NET program, will test a potential new treatment for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The molecule, NRD135S.E1, is a lab-made version of a natural substance traditionally used to brew tea to treat a variety of indications, including pain, in a village in Siberia. In clinical studies, NRD135S.E1 was well tolerated by patients and showed clinically relevant pain relief. Testing within EPPIC-Net will use a master protocol, an innovative study design in which multiple treatments can be tested at the same time with fewer research participants.

3UH3AT010739-03S1
Improving Diversity, Inclusion, and Retention in BackinAction/AcuOA Clinical Research in Pain Management NCCIH KAISER FOUNDATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE SHERMAN, KAREN J Oakland, CA 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Administrative Supplements to Support Strategies to Increase Participant Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement in Clinical Studies
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-21-025
Summary:

Participants in many clinical trials do not represent the U.S. population. Racial/ethnic minorities are often underrepresented, as are people with lower socioeconomic status and lower education levels, who face additional barriers, such as lack of transportation or childcare. Thus, both recruitment and retention of such populations is challenging, particularly for complementary and integrative health trials. This project proposes to enhance diversity, inclusion, and retention of participants in an ongoing study by creating a patient and caregiver Diversity, Recruitment, and Retention Advisory Board as well as adding a recruitment and retention specialist to coordinate the advisory board and implement necessary activities. The project will also provide evidence-based recruitment tools and will conduct structured interviews with patients who choose not to participate in a study as well as those who are at risk of dropping out to enhance understanding of the barriers and factors contributing to trial recruitment, loss to follow-up, and successful completion.

1UG3AG067493-01
Tailored Non-Pharmacotherapy Services for Chronic Pain: Testing Scalable and Pragmatic Approaches Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NIA KAISER FOUNDATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE DEBAR, LYNN L Oakland, CA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network: Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-021
Summary:

To enhance availability of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP), this study will 1) refine strategies to identify and recruit patients, finalize intervention procedures, and ensure data infrastructure and quality; 2) determine the effectiveness of online and telephonic CBT-CP on patients and pain severity and secondary outcomes, including depression, sleep, quality of life, and pain-related health care utilization, from the electronic health record; and 3) assess the cost and incremental cost-effectiveness of online and telephonic CBT-CP compared with usual care. Eligible participants will be randomized to one of two painTRAINER interventions or usual care. Interventions will be eight weekly 45-minute sessions of the online program or telehealth-style phone coaching by trained behavioral health specialists. Self-reported pain severity and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at three, six, and 12 months.

5UH3AT010739-04
Pragmatic Trial of Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults Clinical Research in Pain Management Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM) NCCIH KAISER FOUNDATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE DEBAR, LYNN L (contact); COOK, ANDREA J Oakland, CA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Management of Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-AT-19-005
1UG3AT010739-01
Pragmatic Trial of Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults Clinical Research in Pain Management Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM) NCCIH KAISER FOUNDATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE SHERMAN, KAREN J (contact); DEBAR, LYNN L Oakland, CA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Management of Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-AT-19-005
Summary:

Acupuncture has been found to be effective in treating chronic lower back pain (cLBP) in adults. Yet trials have rarely included older adults, who have more comorbidities and may respond differently from typical trial participants. To fill this gap, the study team will conduct a three-arm trial of 828 adults ?65 years of age with cLBP to evaluate acupuncture versus usual care. They will compare a standard 12-week course of acupuncture with an enhanced course of acupuncture (12-week standard course, plus 12-week maintenance course) to usual medical care for cLBP. If successful, this pragmatic RCT will offer clear guidance about the value of acupuncture for improving functional status and reducing pain intensity and pain interference for older adults with cLBP.

3-UH3-AT010739-02
Pragmatic Trial of Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults Clinical Research in Pain Management Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM) NCCIH KAISER FOUNDATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE SHERMAN, KAREN J (contact); DEBAR, LYNN L Oakland, CA 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Administrative Supplements to Support Strategies to Increase Participant Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement in Clinical Studies
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-21-025
1U01DK123813-01
UPENN Scientific and Data Research Center for the HOPE Consortium to Reduce Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Clinical Research in Pain Management Integrated Approach to Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Patients NIDDK UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA DEMBER, LAURA M (contact); FARRAR, JOHN T; KAMPMAN, KYLE MATTHEW; LANDIS, J RICHARD Philadelphia, PA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Integrated Approach to Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Patients: The Hemodialysis Opioid Prescription Effort (HOPE) Consortium - Scientific and Data Research Center (U01 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-DK-18-031
Summary:

The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine serves as the Scientific and Data Research Center (SDRC) for the Hemodialysis Opioid Prescription Effort (HOPE) Consortium. Specifically, the SDRC will 1) provide scientific leadership for the HOPE Consortium clinical trial; 2) provide comprehensive operational support to the Clinical Centers for implementing the collaboratively designed trial protocol; 3) develop and lead a Stakeholder Engagement Working Group; 4) integrate and analyze data from the electronic health records of the participating Clinical Centers; 5) establish, promote, and maintain consortium-wide high standards for quality assurance and practices; 6) initiate and oversee contracts with industry partners; 7) prepare reports for the Data and Safety Monitoring Board, and support the preparation of Consortium reports of scientific findings; 8) prepare, document, and transfer Consortium data and biosamples to a Central Repository; and 9) develop approaches for disseminating the trial findings to diverse stakeholders.

1U24NS115691-01
UPENN HEAL - Pain Clinical Trial Network Specialized Clinical Center Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FARRAR, JOHN T (contact); ASHBURN, MICHAEL ALAN Philadelphia, PA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network - Specialized Clinical Centers (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-036
Summary:

EPPIC-Net will provide a robust and readily accessible infrastructure for the rapid implementation and performance of high-quality comprehensive studies of patients with well-defined pain conditions, and the rapid design and performance of high-quality Phase 2 clinical trials to test promising novel therapeutics for pain. Using the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as a hub and five additional centers that are part of the UPenn Health System and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) as spokes, studies will be conducted as designed by the expertise of the EPPIC Network, which intends to bring intense focus to relatively small numbers of patients with clinically well-defined pain conditions and high unmet therapeutic needs. The UPenn Specialized Clinical Center (SCC) will test novel, efficient study designs including adaptive and platform designs, validation studies of biomarkers, and biomarker-informed proof of principle or target engagement studies in Phase 2 trials of interventions from academic and industry partners.

3R01NR016681-02S1
MECHANISMS OF MUSIC THERAPY TO PALLIATE PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER Clinical Research in Pain Management NINR DREXEL UNIVERSITY BRADT, JOKE Philadelphia, PA 2018
NOFO Title: Arts-Based Approaches in Palliative Care for Symptom Management (R01)
NOFO Number: PAR-14-294
Summary:

This study addresses the public health problem of chronic pain as one of the most feared symptoms in people with cancer. Insufficient relief from pharmacological treatments and the fear of side effects are important reasons for the growing use of complementary pain management approaches in people with cancer. One such approach is music therapy. Although efficacy of music therapy for pain has been established, there are no mechanistic studies clarifying how it works in clinical populations. The overarching goals of this study are to 1) examine mediators and moderators hypothesized to account for the pain-reducing effects of interactive music therapy (IMT) in people with advanced cancer and chronic pain and 2) validate IMT’s theory of action. The results of this study will provide estimated effects sizes of IMT on the mediators and preliminary effect size estimates for the pain outcomes. This information will be instrumental in the development of a subsequent large-scale efficacy trial.

3U24NS115691-01S1
UPENN HEAL - Pain Clinical Trial Network Specialized Clinical Center Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FARRAR, JOHN T Philadelphia, PA 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:

A significant gap exists in understanding of the barriers blocking access to specialized care for children of color who experience headaches, as well as to understand and appreciate the impact of undertreatment on a child’s functional ability and quality of life. Long-term, this research aims to understand these barriers to care and test interventions to remedy disparities. As the first step, this project's primary objective is to identify socioeconomic and clinical factors that lead children experiencing headache to seek care in an emergency department in lieu of outpatient neurology care. The results of this research will help to inform efforts to reduce the negative effects of emergency department overuse in this population and guide them to potentially more appropriate outpatient care.

1U24NS115708-01
University of Pittsburgh Hub and Spoke Pain Clinical Trial Network Clinical Research in Pain Management Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net) NINDS UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH WASAN, AJAY D (contact); ALTER, BENEDICT J Pittsburgh, PA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network - Specialized Clinical Centers (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-036
Summary:

For many years in the field of pain medicine it has been noted that many promising treatments emerging from animal studies fail to demonstrate efficacy in human trials. There are many reasons for these phenomena, and one of the key steps to improve this situation and establish more effective nonopioid treatments for pain is more rigorous conduct of multisite pain clinical trials from an experienced multidisciplinary team of investigators. The University of Pittsburgh Hub and Spoke Clinical Trials Network will establish an organizational structure to capitalize on institutional expertise at our Spokes to lead specific phase 2 clinical trials through EPPIC-Net.

1UG3AR076568-01
Proof of concept study to treat negative affect in chronic low back pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Back Pain Consortium Research Program NIAMS UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH WASAN, AJAY D Pittsburgh, PA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program: Phase 2 Clinical Trials (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-AR-19-029
Summary:

The chronic low back pain (cLBP) subgroup with comorbid depression or anxiety disorders, known as high negative affect (NA), needs better non-opioid, comprehensive pain treatment options. Data shows that the combination of antidepressants (AD) and fear avoidance physical therapy is more efficacious at improving pain, function, depression, and anxiety in cLBP patients with high NA than each treatment alone or a control condition. Research also finds that an enhanced fear avoidance rehabilitation protocol (EFAR; fear avoidance-based physical therapy, pain education, and motivational messaging) further improves outcomes. To address the unmet needs of cLBP patients with high NA, this study will test in a randomized trial whether the combination of AD and EFAR is more effective than each treatment alone at relieving pain, improving function, combating depression, and preventing opioid misuse. This multimodal combination approach of pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy is novel to the field and has the potential to shift current treatment paradigms.

1UG3HL165839-01A1
Peer suppoRt for adolescents and Emerging adults with Sickle cell pain: promoting ENgagement in Cognitive behavioral thErapy  (PRESENCE) Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NHLBI UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH JONASSAINT, CHARLES RICHARD (contact); MURRAY-KREZAN, CRISTIN Pittsburgh, PA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management Trials Utilizing the Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-AT-23-002
Summary:

Pain is the most common symptom of sickle cell disease (SCD), contributing to poor physical and emotional health outcomes and exacerbating socially determined health disparities at significant societal cost. PRESENCE will be the first study to compare the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program with and without peer support to usual care as a non-pharmaceutical option for pain management in adolescents and young adults living with SCD. CBT is delivered through an innovative digital app that is accessed on a mobile device with one group receiving self-guided CBT, a second group receiving CBT plus peer support, and a third group receiving usual SCD care. The PRESENCE program is comprised of strong community partnerships that provide the peer support component of the intervention. Measured outcomes will include pain and emotional health.

1RM1DA055311-01
Tailored Retention and Engagement for Equitable Treatment of OUD and Pain (TREETOP) Clinical Research in Pain Management Reducing Opioid-Related Harms to Treat Chronic Pain (IMPOWR and MIRHIQL) NIDA UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH MERLIN, JESSICA S (contact); HAMM, MEGAN ; KRAEMER, KEVIN L Pittsburgh, PA 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Integrative Management of Chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery (IMPOWR): Research Centers (RM1 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-21-030
Summary:

The goal of the Tailored Retention and Engagement for Equitable Treatment of Opioid use disorder (OUD) and Pain (TREETOP) research program is to develop effective, equitable, and sustainable interventions for chronic pain and opioid misuse/disorder that improve engagement in medication for opioid misuse/disorder treatment and retention in office-based addiction treatment. TREETOP will prioritize disproportionately affected rural and Black communities. The Engagement research project will investigate whether pain self-management can improve pain and engage primary care patients to seek medication treatment for opioid misuse/disorder. The Retention project will investigate whether pain self-management and/or flexibly dosed buprenorphine/naloxone can improve pain and retention in treatment among patients who have already begun care in office-based addiction treatment programs. With engagement from stakeholders and representatives with varied perspectives and lived experiences, this research will advance the science of sustainably and equitably managing chronic pain and opioid misuse/disorder, prioritizing disproportionately affected communities.

1U01DK123812-01
Pain Reduction and Opioid MedIcation Safety in ESRD (PROMISE) study Clinical Research in Pain Management Integrated Approach to Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Patients NIDDK UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH JHAMB, MANISHA (contact); LIEBSCHUTZ, JANE M; STEEL, JENNIFER L; YABES, JONATHAN G Pittsburgh, PA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Integrated Approach to Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Patients: The Hemodialysis Opioid Prescription Effort (HOPE) Consortium - Clinical Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-DK-18-030
Summary:

The Pain Reduction and Opioid Medication Safety in ESRD (PROMISE) study aims to improve the safety of opioid use and pain management in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD) using a Type I effectiveness-implementation hybrid design. A multisite randomized controlled trial of HD patients from the Hemodialysis Opioid Prescription Effort (HOPE) Consortium will examine the effectiveness of two separate nine-month evidence-based interventions: 1) Opioid Tapering Management (OTM) and 2) Behavioral Pain Management (BPM). We will examine the effectiveness of OTM (versus no OTM, Aim 1) and BPM (versus no BPM) over nine months for reducing opioid use (primary outcome) and improving pain severity (secondary outcome) in HD patients on chronic opioids. The implementation goal will take advantage of the diverse patient, provider, and organizational settings in the HOPE Consortium to evaluate process outcomes.