Advancing pain science to expand non-drug options for knee osteoarthritis care

Chiyoung Lee, PhD, RN, assistant professor at the College of Nursing, has received two competitive research awards that support innovative, non-pharmacological approaches to chronic pain and rehabilitation for older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Together, the awards, totaling $110,000, underscore Lee’s growing leadership in technology-driven pain research and mark a significant step toward improving outcomes for individuals living with persistent pain.

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“Dr. Lee’s work reflects where the future of nursing science is headed, integrating neuroscience, technology, and clinical care to fundamentally change how we understand and treat chronic pain,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “This research moves us beyond symptom management and toward uncovering the underlying mechanisms of pain, which is essential to delivering more precise, equitable, and lasting solutions for patients.”

Lee received her first award through the University of Arizona Research & Partnerships’ February 2026 Core Facilities Pilot Program. The funding supports Lee’s project, “Neuroimaging Mechanisms of Home-Based Dual-Site Neuromodulation for Comprehensive Pain Care in Knee Osteoarthritis,” in collaboration with co-investigators Brian Ahn and Juyoung Park, PhD, MSW, FGSA. The study, conducted at the U of A’s Translational Bioimaging Resource (TBIR) Center, will use functional magnetic resonance imaging to better understand how stimulating key brain regions involved in pain processing can reduce chronic widespread pain.

Building on an ongoing clinical study, the project focuses on dual-site transcranial direct current stimulation targeting brain regions involved in central pain processing. By examining how these regions interact, Lee aims to generate critical preliminary data to advance precision, technology-enabled approaches to pain care. “This project is an important step in advancing my expertise in neuroimaging and pain research,” Lee said. “It helps us better understand neuromodulation mechanisms and ultimately improve how we treat chronic pain in older adults.”

Complementing this work, Lee also received the 2026 TrialLaunch Award from the Arthritis Foundation, a competitive grant supporting early-phase clinical trials in arthritis research. Her project, “RESHAPE-TKA: Recovery Through Transcranial Electrical Stimulation with Home-based Lower-body Strengthening Exercise After Total Knee Arthroplasty,” aims to improve recovery for patients experiencing persistent pain after knee replacement surgery.

In collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, including Ahn and colleagues from the U of A College of Medicine and the University of Delaware, Lee’s study will examine how combining brain stimulation with targeted exercise can improve rehabilitation outcomes. This approach aims to reduce pain, improve physical function, and enhance quality of life beyond what exercise alone can achieve. The project will be conducted at the U of A in collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial Network (OACTN) and will involve close coordination with the OACTN Coordinating Center (BriCC) to prepare for a future multicenter randomized controlled trial.

“This award marks an important milestone in establishing my independent research program in pain and rehabilitation science,” Lee said. “It provides a strong foundation for developing innovative, non-pharmacological strategies to address persistent pain, a major barrier to recovery.”

Both projects reflect Lee’s broader research vision to integrate neuromodulation, rehabilitation, and advanced imaging to address chronic pain through scalable, patient-centered solutions. Her work focuses on older adults with knee osteoarthritis, a population that often has limited treatment options and significant functional challenges.

“Dr. Lee’s research integrates neuroscience, technology, and patient-centered care, with real potential to transform how we approach chronic pain,” said Park, Lee’s direct supervisor and the PhD program director. “Her work reflects a strong commitment to developing accessible, evidence-based solutions that can improve patients’ quality of life during and after treatment.”

Since joining the College of Nursing just over two years ago, Lee has developed a rapidly advancing research program, supported by the college’s collaborative environment and resources, including the Brain Digital Technology Laboratory. “These awards strengthen our ability to conduct cutting-edge pain science research and expand technology-driven approaches to care,” Lee said. “They also open new opportunities for collaboration and for future large-scale clinical trials.”

As Lee continues to build momentum, both projects lay the groundwork for larger, multi-site studies and position the College of Nursing at the forefront of innovation in chronic pain management, where advances in neuroscience and nursing science converge to improve lives.