The Facial Pain Association (FPA) is enthusiastic about medical research and encourages those with neuropathic facial pain, including trigeminal neuralgia, and related healthcare conditions to consider participation. It is important to note, however, that the FPA is not offering, nor is it qualified to offer, a scientific or medical endorsement of any Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved patient study.
Dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of neuropathic facial pain, the FPA promotes and supports medical research relevant to our community.
We aim to empower patients and caregivers with the knowledge necessary to be educated partners in your healthcare while also encouraging more research on facial pain and relevant issues faced by those with facial pain.
What are clinical trials and studies?
The goal of clinical trials and studies is to discover new, better treatments (and cures) for the condition being studied. Clinical study involves research using human participants that is intended to add to medical knowledge. In a clinical trial, participants receive specific interventions according to the research plan or protocol created by the investigators. These interventions may be medical products, such as drugs or devices; procedures; or changes to participants’ behavior, such as diet. Clinical trials also come with some degree of risk. There is a chance that the treatment being studied might not work as expected. It might not be better than the standard of care. The study drug could also cause an unexpected side effect, especially in earlier phase trials. Interventional trials test whether a specific intervention (such as a drug, device or behavioral change) affects health-related outcomes. Observational studies place participants in groups based on their characteristics. An intervention is tested in each of these groups.
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Before you participate in a study, discuss all options with your health care provider.
Learn more: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/clinical-trials-and-studies/what-are-clinical-trials-and-studies
A large percentage of medical research gets delayed because researchers cannot get enough patients to participate in clinical trials. It is challenging for researchers to find participants who would qualify, and many patients do not know how to find trials they are willing to join.
FPA’s research initiative will increase the awareness of the facial pain community about relevant studies. Another resource is Antidote, a website that includes a search function, to allow you to find opportunities, and read about upcoming research projects.
On Antidote, you can search ‘trigeminal neuralgia’ or other diagnoses; you can also search for ‘depression’, ‘chronic pain’, or other health issues, symptoms, or diseases.
Learn MoreSince launching our Research Initiative in 2021, we have made tremendous progress thanks to your contributions.
Are you applying for a grant to research neuropathic facial pain, investigating a new treatment option for a clinical trial, or conducting a study to better understand current treatment options? We are here to support your efforts!
We provide non-financial support of your efforts in a number of ways, including:
Contact Brandi Underwood, Manager of Development, Research, and Advocacy at [email protected] or call (800) 923-3608.
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