Force-Based Manipulations Research Network

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ABSTRACT Whereas a large body of mechanosensation knowledge exists, synergy between our current understanding of sensory mechanotransduction and Force-Based Manipulations (FBM) mechanisms across research disciplines remains severely limited. This lack of synergy between these research fields has proven to be a formidable barrier to the advancement and therapeutic optimization of FBM. To accelerate interdisciplinary collaborative research and advance the FBM field, we aim to establish a national/international academic and professional Force-Based Manipulation network (ForceNet). The charge of ForceNet will be to successfully overcome the long-established barriers pertaining to: 1) the lack of universal FBM force-related metrics, 2) the lack of FBM mechanistic knowledge (including how mechanosensitive receptors, neurons, and circuits change in pathological conditions), and 3) the undefined but potentially important role of contextual factors on FBM mechanisms. To accomplish our Network goals, we will stimulate interdisciplinary research at the intersections of physiology, biomechanics, big data/artificial intelligence, neuroscience, immunology, imaging and psychology emphasizing clinical and translationally relevant research addressing FBM metrics of applied force, neural mechanisms of FBM mechanotransduction, and FBM contextual effects. ForceNet will emphasize the development of new interdisciplinary collaborations and the submission of novel experimental and translational pre-clinical pilot projects. These pilot projects will encompass basic, theoretical framework, and translational designs, primary and secondary analyses, new and ancillary projects, and will be open to investigators across the entire academic career spectrum. ForceNet aims to grow and diversify the FBM workforce, develop a pipeline of new FBM interdisciplinary investigators, and encourage new collaborations between larger research-intensive public universities and smaller Integrative Medicine institutions. ForceNet will use a variety of avenues to create and share new FBM knowledge and resources including performing a FBM Delphi Study, publishing 6-10 articles in a special issue of Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, hosting face-to-face and virtual, workshops, webinars, creating an interactive website where ForceNet members can locate future interdisciplinary collaborators, and using social media to promote and share Network resources. Pilot grant awardees will present their research findings at our annual ForceNet workshops, designed to encourage new interdisciplinary FBM collaborations. To sustain ForceNet network growth after the funding period ends, we will establish ForceNet “special interest groups”, satellite events, and social events at large national/international scientific meetings in which ForceNet members attend regularly and/or serve in a leadership capacity. As current leaders in the field of basic and clinical FBM research, the resources provided to the ForceNet Leadership Team along with our highly visible institutions and established personal networks of interdisciplinary collaborators makes our proposal well positioned to substantially impact FBM mechanistic research and clinical care for decades to come.