Centre for Pain IMPACT

The Centre for Pain IMPACT, directed by A/Prof James McAuley, Dr Siobhan Schabrun, A/Prof Sylvia Gustin, and A/Prof David Seminowicz conducts research that encompasses basic science through to clinical and translational research.

Our research investigates the causes of chronic pain; develops and tests the efficacy and effectiveness of new treatment approaches; and implements new treatment approaches into clinical practice.

The research covers a range of conditions: low back pain, osteoarthritis, temporomandibular disorder, focal hand dystonia, headache, complex regional pain syndrome, migraine, burning mouth syndrome, sickle cell disease, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injury neuropathic pain, trigeminal neuropathic pain and trigeminal neuralgia.

Our team uses different research methods, including: animal (rodent) models, human models, neuroimaging, experimental methods (non-invasive brain stimulation, quantitative sensory testing), cohort studies, randomised controlled trials, implementation trials, and qualitative research.

The Centre also provides ongoing pain-related educational activities, including media, public lectures, clinical workshops, and seminars.

The overarching aims of IMPACT are to:

• profile NeuRA’s world class pain research
• facilitate collaboration within and beyond NeuRA
• raise awareness of NeuRA’s pain activities by providing:
  • a platform for research participant recruitment
  • a forum for public and clinician education.
• leverage expertise within NeuRA to seek external funding support (e.g. NHMRC CRE, industry, philanthropy).