Current Environment:

Ongoing and upcoming studies

Actively Recruiting 

Neurobiological Mechanisms of Stress in Youth with Chronic Widespread Pain

Clinical trial funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health involving functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and quantitative sensory testing to examine the brain-based mechanisms historically associated with psychological stress that may play a role in the maintenance of chronic pain and mind-body treatment response.

We are actively recruiting both controls and chronic pain patients for this study. If you would like to learn more, please contact PainandStress@childrens.harvard.edu.

NIH Grant Number: 5TK23AT010643

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04488757

Pain-related Stigma and Stress

Survey-based study in collaboration with Dr. Emily Wakefield at Connecticut Children's Medical Center focused on examining the association between pain-related stigma, psychological stress, and treatment engagement in pediatric pain populations. 

We are actively recruiting chronic pain patients for this study. If you would like to learn more, please contact PainandStress@childrens.harvard.edu.

Amplifying patient voices around diversity, equity, and inclusion in pediatric chronic pain treatment: A mixed-method investigation

Mixed methods investigation focused on characterizing diverse youth who present to pain care and identifying ways in which diversity, equity, and inclusivity in pediatric pain care can be optimized.

We are actively recruiting chronic pain ethnic minority patients for this study, as well as chronic pain professionals. If you would like to learn more, please contact PainandStress@childrens.harvard.edu.

Pending Studies

Preliminary efficacy of a mindfulness curriculum in addressing neurobiological, pain-related, and psychological outcomes in youth with chronic pain

Pilot investigation on the efficacy of the Learn2Breath (L2B) mindfulness protocol in mitigating neurobiological wear and tear of stress (i.e., allostatic load) in pediatric chronic musculoskeletal pain. Funding proposal pending. 

Initial exploration of endocannabinoid expression in pediatric chronic pain

Pilot investigation of salivary endocannabinoid expression in youth with chronic pain enrolled in intensive pain rehabilitation treatment. Funding proposal pending.