9/6/2019
Brussels/Aachen, 6 September 2019. One in five European citizens suffers from chronic pain. For this reason, research in pain is more important than ever. During the Congress of the European Pain Federation EFIC®, four young scientists presented the results of research projects that explore creative approaches to improving the lives of patients in pain.
Addressing a major healthcare challenge
Pain is one of the most urgent and widespread challenges facing the healthcare sector in Europe. According to a recent study, approximately 150 million people living in countries within the European Union suffer from chronic pain – which is equivalent to the combined population of France and Germany (Oxford University Press, 2018: European Pain Management). This figure is expected to rise as people live longer. The European Pain Federation EFIC® and the pharmaceutical company Grünenthal are seeking to address this challenge through the EFIC-Grünenthal Grant (E-G-G).
The E-G-G is a research grant that helps young scientists turn their creative ideas into research projects aimed at improving the lives of people in pain. The grant also gives young scientists a unique opportunity to present the results of their research during the world’s second largest pain congress: The Congress of the European Pain Federation EFIC®.
“We are extremely confident about the positive impact that these exciting research projects could potentially provide to people suffering from pain,” says Professor Bart Morlion, President of the European Pain Federation EFIC®. “Our society and our lifestyles are changing. It is absolutely essential that scientists join forces to explore new research approaches that open up opportunities to make life better for the millions of people who live with pain in their day-to-day lives.”
Previous grant recipients from E-G-G 2016 and E-G-G 2012, who presented their research projects at the symposium “New Findings in Clinical Pain Research: results from former E-G-G winners”, were:
- Susanne Becker, PhD:Altered cognitive-emotional networks in chronic pain: the modulatory role of dopamine.
- Joukje Oosterman, PhD: Disentangling pain and fatigue: a clinical and neurocognitive approach.
- Roi Treister, PhD:Can training increase reporting accuracy and study power in human pain trials?
- Jordi Casanova Molla, MD:Nociceptive nerve endings as targets for pain research
“As the number of people suffering from chronic health conditions increases in Europe, it’s never been more important to promote research into pain,” says Mark Fladrich, Chief Commercial Officer Grünenthal. “The E-G-G gives young scientists the chance to turn their creative research ideas into real-world research projects at a point in their careers when it can often be difficult to attract funding. It was fantastic to hear the results of these pain scientists’ work – and it makes me proud of Grünenthal’s commitment to driving research in this vitally important field.”
About the European Pain Federation EFIC®
Headquartered in Diegem/Brussels, the European Pain Federation EFIC® is a multidisciplinary professional organization in the field of pain research and medicine, consisting of the 37 chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP®), the IASP® approved official National Pain Societies in each country. Established in 1993, the European Pain Federation EFIC® constituent chapters represent Pain Societies from 37 European countries and more than 20,000 physicians, basic researchers, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals across Europe, who are involved in pain management and pain research.
For more information:www.europeanpainfederation.eu
About Grünenthal
Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, privately-owned pharmaceutical company, we have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies to patients worldwide. Our purpose is to change lives for the better – and innovation is our passion. We are focussing all of our activities and efforts on moving towards our vision of a world free of pain.
Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 30 countries across Europe, Latin America and the US. Our products are available in more than 100 countries. In 2018, Grünenthal employed around 4,900 people and achieved sales of € 1.3 bn.
More information: www.grunenthal.com
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- Creative insights into innovative pain research (pdf, 60 KB)
Štěpán Kráčala
Head Global Communications
Grünenthal GmbH
Aachen