Training in Musculoskeletal Science: Comprehensive Training in Pain Studies

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Abstract: This administrative supplement proposal aims to enhance the Rochester Training in Musculoskeletal Science (ROCMSK) Program by incorporating a comprehensive training curriculum on the mechanisms, measurement, and treatment of pain. The proposed curriculum will complement the existing interdisciplinary didactic, pedagogical, and research skills training in musculoskeletal science while filling a critical gap in pain assessment and management in orthopedic conditions. The training curriculum will be accessible to all trainees at every academic level within the CMSR program, with priority given to T32 trainees for experiential learning opportunities. The curriculum includes lecture-based instruction and immersive hands-on training, covering topics ranging from pain physiology and preclinical pain models to pain assessment methods and ethical considerations. The importance of rigor, reproducibility, and standardization of pain assessment methods will be emphasized. Trainees will have the opportunity to engage with renowned pain researchers through the CMSR's membership in the Chicago Center on Musculoskeletal Pain (C-COMP) and receive training on pain assessment techniques in rodents. Funding will be used to purchase pain behavior assessment instruments, enhancing the infrastructure for pain studies in the CMSR. Collaboration with C- COMP will enable resource sharing and training of future experts, ensuring sustainability of the pain curriculum within the ROCMSK T32 program. The proposal also aims to leverage national resources and create experiential learning opportunities for trainees through collaborations and participation in pain research initiatives and events. Trainees will benefit from virtual interactions with pain research experts through NIH's HEAL and PURPOSE Initiatives. The supplement will support trainees in attending in-person workshops, symposia, and conferences, including the Keystone Symposia on Mammalian Somatosensation and the International Association for the Study of Pain meeting. This approach will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and provide trainees with diverse perspectives on cutting-edge pain research. Furthermore, the proposal requests an additional training seat for an additional trainee to incorporate pain outcomes into his study of molecular mechanisms related to skeletal muscle wasting in a preclinical model of pancreatic cancer. This research has the potential to contribute to the development of new therapies for preventing or reversing skeletal muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer patients. Overall, this administrative supplement proposal seeks to enhance the ROCMSK Program by developing a comprehensive training curriculum on pain assessment and management in musculoskeletal conditions. Through didactic instruction, immersive hands-on training, experiential learning opportunities, and the addition of a trainee focusing on pain assessment in a pancreatic cancer model, this supplement aims to bridge the gap in interdisciplinary musculoskeletal science training and empower future researchers to address the complex issue of pain in orthopedic conditions.