Our Research
The Pain Management Research Institute (“PMRI”) is unique in its integration of research, clinical treatment, education and advocacy. PMRI creates a virtuous circle of continuous learning, management and improvement in practical measures to conquer chronic pain.
Supported by funds raised by the Pain Foundation, PMRI is focused on a range of important initiatives. Your investment will deliver significantly improved outcomes for those affected by chronic pain and broader cost-savings and benefits for the community.
There are three key pillars to this pain management work:
1. Drug Discovery Research
- Cannabinoids and pain: focusing on their role in unlearning pain-associated fear
- Novel targets in the descending pain inhibitory system: in particular the important role of glycine
- The impacts of gabapentin-like drugs and their potential harms.
- Text messages to provide psychological support for people with pain: who are reducing their reliance on opioids, or coping with pain from rib fractures
- Digitisation of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy strategies that are used to teach patients pain self-management.
3. Improving access to care
- Early identification and intervention in employees at risk of developing chronic pain following non-serious soft tissue injuries in the workplace.
- Providing community-based care for people who frequently present to emergency departments with chronic pain.
- Pain management digital education for primary care providers (medical and allied health) around the country, so that patients have access to better treatment.
- Pain prevention in accident victims
- Helping people with chronic pain after cancer treatment to get access to appropriate pain management.
We partner with trusts, foundations, corporates and individuals to drive investment in multi-disciplinary clinical and research work into the management of chronic pain, helping to reduce the significant physical, financial and emotional burdens on the Australian and global communities.
