Catalyst Grant - Maura Marcucci

Catalyst Grants - Maura Marcucci

Persistent Post-Surgical Pain, Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction, and Resilience in Older People Undergoing Elective Knee Surgery: A Mixed Method Project to Explore Associations and Underlying Mechanisms

Primary Investigator: Maura Marcucci, MD, MSc

Start Date: 2021

Brief Overview and Progress to Date

ArthroCaP is a proof-of-concept study to explore the interplay between chronic postoperative pain, self-reported recovery (i.e. satisfaction), coping abilities/expectations about surgery, and postoperative cognitive trajectories in >=50 years patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty. According to a prospective cohort design, the study includes a longitudinal assessment of pain, pain therapies, a more comprehensive measure of satisfaction after surgery and cognitive performance. It also includes the evaluation of possible biomarkers of pain-related cognitive dysfunction.

IPRC funding has allowed the design and launch of the project, supporting the costs so far associated with research personnel and biomarkers measurement. Becoming part of the IPRC community has also offered opportunities of dissemination, like presenting at the IPRC Symposium and submission of the study rationale and protocol to the Canadian Journal of Pain.