Robert H. Dworkin, Ph.D.

My major research interests are (1) methodologic aspects of analgesic clinical trials and (2) treatment and prevention of chronic neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain. The primary focus of my current research involves the identification of factors that increase the assay sensitivity of randomized clinical trials to detect differences between an efficacious treatment and a placebo control or comparison intervention. In ongoing studies, we are evaluating the research designs and methods, clinical outcome assessments, and statistical analyses used in clinical trials of treatments for acute and chronic pain. These studies and other efforts to improve the efficiency and informativeness of clinical trials of analgesic, anesthetic, and addiction interventions are being conducted under the auspices of the ACTTION public-private partnership with the FDA, of which I serve as Director.

Current Funding
1. FDA, U01 FD005936 (9/1/21-8/31/22): Analgesic, anesthetic, and addiction clinical trial translations, innovations, opportunities, and networks (ACTTION) public-private partnership (PD/PI)
2. NIH/NINDS, U24 NS113850 (9/30/19-8/31/24): Clinical coordinating center for the HEAL initiative early phase pain investigation clinical network (MPI: 2019-2021; Co-I: 2021-2024)