SCUHS awarded $1.7 million NIH R01 grant for back pain research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) just awarded a $1.7 million R01 grant to the Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Clinical and Health Research department.

According to an SCU press release, the prestigious R01 grant will fund groundbreaking research comparing the safety, efficiency and care costs for Medicare beneficiaries receiving acupuncture for chronic low-back pain. The research, in collaboration with Dartmouth College, launched in August and will span three years.

NIH R01 grants are highly sought-after, and receiving one represents a significant milestone for SCU, underscoring the university’s commitment to advancing evidence-based care.

Meet the principal investigator

The project, titled “Acupuncture for Medicare Beneficiaries with Chronic Low Back Pain: Access, Utilization, and Outcomes,” is led by principal investigator James Whedon, DC, MS, a distinguished professor and senior clinical health services researcher at SCU.

A licensed doctor of chiropractic, Whedon has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and is recognized for his research comparing non-pharmacological and pharmacological chronic pain care for Medicare recipients. His dedication to integrative health has earned him numerous accolades, including the Jerome F. McAndrews DC Memorial Research Fund Award from the NCMIC Foundation (2013) and the Scott Haldeman Award for Outstanding Research from the World Federation of Chiropractic.

“We are thrilled to have the NIH’s backing of this potentially transformative research that will inform policies at Medicare and benefit the millions of people suffering from back pain who need safe and more effective treatments for their condition,” said Whedon.

“A research project like this is only possible with the hard work, support and collaboration of many. My heartfelt thanks to Research Director Dr. Steffany Moonaz for her vision, to university leadership for their unfailing support of the research program, to our research advisory board and to all the project investigators for their hard work on the research proposal,” he added.

“Very special thanks also to SCU Research Administrator Crina Gandila for smoothly shepherding the grant application through to a successful conclusion,” Whedon concluded.

About the R01 grant-funded research

Using claims data, field research, survey data and qualitative research methods, this research will assess the impact of Medicare’s recent decision to cover non-pharmacologic treatment for chronic low-back pain. Despite evidence-based clinical guidelines prioritizing non-pharmacologic therapies such as acupuncture, many patients with chronic low-back pain have historically relied solely on analgesic medications, often with limited efficacy. The results of this research can potentially improve care and outcomes for patients with this challenging condition.

“To our knowledge, this is the first R01 grant in SCU history, and most of our peer institutions have not achieved this designation,” said Steffany Moonaz, PhD, SCU’s director of clinical and health sciences research. “The project reflects SCU’s commitment to evidence-based, integrative healthcare, and we could not be more excited about the potential impact.”

With this substantial NIH R01 grant, SCU is positioned to make a significant contribution to the field of chronic pain management. The university looks forward to sharing the results of the study and continuing its mission to enhance health and well-being through integrative approaches.

About Southern California University of Health Sciences

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is one of the world’s only integrative, whole health universities — teaching students to blend the best of conventional medicine with proven complementary approaches, and to treat the whole person (body, mind and spirit). Founded in 1911, SCU has been challenging convention and pushing healthcare forward for more than 100 years. Today, the institution offers graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including chiropractic, sports medicine, physical and occupational therapy, genetic counseling, genetics and genomics, medical science, physician assistant, Ayurveda, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, whole health leadership and beyond. Learn more at scuhs.edu.​