Clinical Research on Pain: Advances and Challenges

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensory and Motor Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 97

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University, 70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: pain therapy; interventional pain management; cancer-related pain; hemodynamic perioperative management; goal-directed therapy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue aims to investigate the latest developments and ongoing challenges in understanding and managing pain. It will bring together cutting-edge research, innovative therapeutic approaches, and expert insights to improve pain diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. The issue will cover a range of topics, such as novel analgesics, interventional pain management, pain genetics, and the role of technology in pain care. By exploring the complexities of pain and challenges in its management, this issue aims to foster collaboration and drive progress in the field. This collection of articles will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of pain research and practice, offering valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and patients.

Dr. Mariateresa Giglio
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • pain management
  • chronic pain
  • pain research
  • analgesia
  • multidisciplinary approach

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

12 pages, 237 KB  
Review
FDA-Regulated Clinical Trials vs. Real-World Data: How to Bridge the Gap in Pain Research
by Anthony Reyes, Mohummed Malik, Malik Sahouri and Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(10), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15101119 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2025
Abstract
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been regarded as the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy of treatments for chronic pain and are the foundation for regulatory approval and guideline development. However, their restrictive design and dependence on idealized populations can limit their applicability [...] Read more.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been regarded as the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy of treatments for chronic pain and are the foundation for regulatory approval and guideline development. However, their restrictive design and dependence on idealized populations can limit their applicability to the diverse patients seen in routine chronic pain management. Real-world data (RWD), collected from electronic medical records, registries, claims databases, and digital health platforms, can offer a more comprehensive view of treatment adherence and safety that RCTs often overlook. A key issue in pain medicine is the efficacy–effectiveness gap, where discrepancies exist between the outcomes of therapies and interventions in RCTs versus in real-world practice due to variations in patient populations and adherence. Bridging this gap ensures that observed improvements align with patients’ preferred outcomes and functional goals. Integrating the strengths of RCTs and RWD provides a more comprehensive evidence base to guide clinical decision-making, influence reimbursement policies, and develop equitable guidelines. The primary aim of this paper is to identify factors used in FDA-regulated RCTs and RWD that could be implemented or enhanced in everyday practice to deliver more holistic and patient-centered care in the management of chronic pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research on Pain: Advances and Challenges)
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