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Ongoing Research | Overview

We take a range of different research approaches, including behavioral studies, genetics, neural circuit architecture, computational modeling, imaging and psychology. Areas of study include:

Chronic Pain

Assessing Pain Interference, Function, and Disability in Chronic Pain Using Smartphone Sensors, A Survey Study: This survey aims to understand thoughts and opinions on utilizing smartphone sensors (or digital phenotyping) for clinical and research purposes for adolescents with chronic pain and their parents or guardians. This is a one-time, remote survey for both adolescent patients and their parents or guardians to complete. Learn more about this study.

Sleep, Pain, and Adolescent Health Survey: This study aims to assess patterns of substance use, pain, and sleep disturbances in adolescents with chronic and acute pain, as well as factors that could influence them, such as mood and anxiety. Adolescents will complete the survey remotely once a year for four years. Learn more about this study.

Assessing the Relationship between Sleep, Pain, and Cognition in Chronic Pain: This study aims to learn more about the relationship between sleep, pain, and cognition in adolescents suffering from chronic pain compared to otherwise healthy adolescents. This study involves wearing a Fitbit watch and completing digital cognitive tasks and assessments on a smartphone application. Learn more about this study.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Using a Portable EEG Device in Chronic Pain Patients: This study aims to determine whether patients find wearing a portable EEG device acceptable and comfortable and can tolerate the device while sleeping. This study involves wearing a portable EEG headband during sleep and completing a digital sleep diary. Learn more about this study.

Surgical Recovery and Outcomes

Cardiac ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) Study: This study aims to investigate the usefulness of a wearable activity device in helping us understand the relationship between sleep, pain and activity in adolescents following cardiac surgical procedures. This study involves wearing a Fitbit watch and completing digital questionnaires on a smartphone application. Learn more about this study.

Patient Post-Surgical Experience Study: This study aims to investigate the usefulness of a wearable activity device in helping us understand the relationship between sleep, pain, and activity in adolescents following orthopedic surgical procedures. This study involves wearing a Fitbit watch and completing digital questionnaires on a smartphone application. Learn more about this study.

Understanding Post-Surgical Recovery Using Wearable Devices: This study aims to investigate the usefulness of a wearable activity device in helping us understand functional recovery in patients after surgery. This study involves wearing an actigraphy device and an EEG for 48 hours following surgery. Learn more about this study.

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