Fulfilling Core Principle Number One: Including people with lived experience (PWLE) in pain research

J Pain. 2026 Sep 30:106452. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2026.106452. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This Commentary accompanies the recently published pain research priorities identified in the HEAL strategic planning process conducted by the NIH. The output of that process was a report containing ten research priorities and five core principles, according to which those research priorities should be conducted. Core Principle #1 from that report suggests that people with lived experience (PWLE) of pain conditions be included in research at all levels, from planning to dissemination, and from basic to implementation science. Here, we provide context and support to researchers beginning to put this principle into practice. In addition, we provide a brief account of the process used to include PWLE in the HEAL strategic planning process. These authors were closely involved in that process, particularly regarding PWLE. PERSPECTIVE: This commentary provides support to researchers seeking to involve people with lived experience of pain in their research according to Core Principle #1 from the HEAL pain research report.

PMID:42815601 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpain.2026.106452