FAQ Posted for RFA-AT-22-003: Toward Developing Quantitative Imaging and Other Relevant Biomarkers of Myofascial Tissues for Clinical Pain Management (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Required)

Published on August 9, 2023

Opportunity: RFA-AT-24-003

Toward Developing Quantitative Imaging and Other Relevant Biomarkers of Myofascial Tissues for Clinical Pain Management (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Required)

NCCIH has posted a detailed frequently asked questions (FAQs) page about HEAL Initiative: Toward Developing Quantitative Imaging and Other Relevant Biomarkers of Myofascial Tissues for Clinical Pain Management (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Required) RFA-AT-24-003. 

Follow this link for the latest information: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/grants/frequently-asked-questions-heal-initiative-toward-developing-quantitative-imaging-and-other-relevant-biomarkers-of-myofascial-tissues-for-clinical-pain-management-r61-r33-clinical-trial-required?nav=blog  

The FAQ includes answers to the following (as of the time of this notice):

  1. How much money is available for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?

  2. Do I have to propose both R61 and R33 phases?

  3. What are the duration and the budget allocation for the R61 and R33 phases?

  4. Does the proposed quantitative measure(s) have to differentiate the healthy, latent, and active pain states of the myofascial tissues as one of the transition criteria from the R61 to the R33 phase?

  5. Do the R61 and R33 phases have to be fully powered statistically?

  6. I am interested in studying how or whether the intervention I am interested in works for myofascial pain. Is this appropriate for the NOFO?

  7. Would a proposal focusing on fibromyalgia as one of the research areas be deemed responsive to the NOFO?

  8. Would developing neuroimaging techniques that may have a potential in the future for peripheral tissue characterization fit for this NOFO?

  9. Can carpal tunnel syndrome serve as a model of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)?

  10. Are both quantitative and qualitative measures acceptable? Is yes/no a sufficient measure?

  11. Can sports-related injuries serve as the myofascial pain model?

  12. Can our proposed research strategy/technology include a proposed treatment method for myofascial pain in relation to quantification? Or should there be a greater emphasis on the quantification of myofascial pain?

  13. Please expand upon the relevance of the myofascial unit in sickle cell disease and by extension to lupus.

  14. Is the myofascial unit in upper extremity pain and repetitive stress disorder relevant to this NOFO?

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