Monday, May 12, 2025
5/12/2025
Developing and testing a multicomponent breathwork intervention for people with chronic pain - Project Summary (30 lines) Project Summary/Abstract: This K01 career development award will provide Dr. Pratscher mentored training experiences that will accelerate his transition to independence as a productive researcher investigating complementary and integrative approaches for chronic pain, whole person health, and emotional well-being. Chronic pain is a major source of human suffering, and chronic low back pain (cLBP) is one of the most common, costly, and burdensome pain conditions. Pain is a sensory and affective experience, and psychosocial factors, such as emotional distress (e.g., depression), stressful life events (e.g., trauma), and unexpressed emotions (e.g., anger), contribute substantially to the persistence of pain. There is an urgent need for integrative treatments that address this complexity of chronic pain and provide significant and lasting pain relief. Breathwork interventions (i.e., therapeutic breathing practices) are promising treatments because they incorporate one of our most integrated physiological processes, respiration, to simultaneously address both physical and emotional causes and consequences of chronic pain. Therefore, the aims of the proposed research are to 1) develop and refine a multicomponent breathwork intervention (derived from Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy) and to 2) iteratively evaluate its feasibility and acceptability in people with cLBP. Specifically, we will modify a treatment manual to guide intervention sessions and adapt treatment fidelity evaluations to assess therapist competence and adherence to the manual. Then, we will conduct three single-arm iterations of the 8-week, individually delivered intervention, followed by a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the most refined version of the intervention to usual care. Upon completion of each iteration, we will gather quantitative and qualitative data and meet with a panel of experts to discuss possible modifications to the intervention or protocol before proceeding with the next iteration. This work will result in a refined and reproducible multicomponent breathwork intervention that can be tested for efficacy in future research, which the candidate plans to pursue with an R-level application written during this award period. The University of Florida has a thriving clinical pain research environment that will support the candidate in completing the proposed research and career development plan. Guidance from an excellent mentoring team in addition to several training activities (e.g., seminars, conferences, independent study) will allow Dr. Pratscher to accomplish the following objectives: (1) build a foundation of knowledge in chronic pain research with emphases on biopsychosocial treatment factors; (2) obtain expertise in the processes of intervention development, refinement, and testing; and (3) enhance proficiency in the design and conduct of clinical trials to develop into a successful independent principal investigator. By completing the proposed project and training activities, Dr. Pratscher will become an independent scientist and leader in the field of breathwork interventions for chronic pain and whole person health.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).