Abstract (Overall) The purpose of the Center for Accelerating Precision Pain Self-Management (CAPPS-M) at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing (UConn SON) is to advance theory-based symptom SM interventions, with a focus on pain, and improve pain self-management and health outcomes in diverse populations with acute and chronic pain. The purpose of this application in response to the RFA-NR-16-001 for Centers in Self- Management of Symptoms: Building Research Teams for the Future (P20) is to build interdisciplinary teams and feasibility research in precision pain SM through centralized infrastructure, mentorship, and shared resources. The Specific Aims of the CAPPS-M are to: (1) Select and support pilot studies that advance the science of precision pain self-management for individuals and families across the lifespan; (2) Expand the number and quality of theory-driven research projects aimed at understanding the influence of the biological (genomic/-omic) context of pain on self-management process and outcomes; (3) Enhance the research infrastructure by expanding the number of nurse scientists and interdisciplinary collaborators involved in advancing the science of pain self-management; (4) Build the capacity for sustainable research teams focused on precision pain self-management through collaborations among interdisciplinary scientists, community networks of individuals and families and partner centers and institutions. We will achieve these aims by: 1) building upon the relationships and infrastructure initiated through investments made by the School of Nursing (SON) and University to support interdisciplinary pain research; 2) focusing on the integration of the biological context of pain within a pain SM science paradigm to further develop precision interventions for individuals and families; 3) advancing the science of pain SM by using the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory as a framework in pilot projects; and 4) capitalizing on our strengths in basic and clinical pain research, genetic/genomic science, community engagement and partnership with the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science

Narrative (Overall) Pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking healthcare and affects more people than diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer combined. Although billions of dollars are spent each year for the treatment of pain in the United States, it continues to be the most frequently reported and distressing symptom across health conditions. Even with optimal medical management, individuals and families living with pain must often endure approaches of trial-and-error to identify the most effective means of reducing pain. Thus improving pain self-management is relevant across the spectrum of health and over the lifespan. Pain self-management interventions that target the molecular context of pain and the symptom self-management process could lead to greater precision in facilitating optimal pain self-management outcomes (symptom self-management behaviors, quality of life, cost of health) for individuals and families. The purpose of the proposed Center for Accelerating Precision Pain Self-Management is to build interdisciplinary research teams focused on improving pain self-management and health outcomes in diverse populations with acute and chronic pain conditions. Using a theory-driven approach to evaluate innovative pain self-management interventions, the research emanating from the Center will advance the science of symptom self-management and lead to greater precision in helping individuals and families identify the right self-management approach based on their unique needs and more efficiently achieve optimal pain self-management outcomes.