One of the major areas of ACRC research has been Phase II, III, and IV clinical trials of treatments for outpatients with a wide variety of chronic pain conditions. Over the past 15 years, the ACRC has been very active in multicenter clinical trials conducted by industry sponsors for the development of new analgesic drugs and in evaluating new analgesic indications for existing medications. The ACRC has particular expertise in clinical trials of the treatment and prevention of neuropathic pain, especially postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy. Multiple clinical trials have also been conducted in fibromyalgia, low back pain, osteoarthritis, cancer-related pain, and opioid-associated bowel dysfunction.

Studies of inpatients have also been conducted for many years by the staff of the ACRC, including research on ARDS and post-operative pain. Faculty members who have conducted these studies have played major roles in multicenter ICU clinical trials and are nationally recognized for these contributions.

Staff

Robert H. Dworkin, PhD

Director, Anesthesiology Clinical Research Center

Professor of Anesthesiology, Neurology, Oncology, and Psychiatry

Rajbala Thakur, M.D.

Janet Pennella-Vaughan, MS, NP Clinical Operations Director, Anesthesiology Clinical Research Center

Senior Associate Nurse Practitioner, Anesthesia Pain Service

Associate Professor, School of Nursing

Lisa Bailey, RN

Senior Research Coordinator

Tammy Ortiz