The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has announced grants totaling $258 million in support of 26 new research studies. 

The studies are aimed at filling evidence gaps and improving healthcare decisions for a range of high-burden conditions among children and adults, including asthma, bone fractures, migraines, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and sinus infections. Commitments include $72 million in support of five comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) studies focused on improving mental health and another four CER studies focused on heart conditions, which have both continued to worsen in the U.S. amid the COVID-19 pandemic. One study, which was awarded $25 million, will assess the comparative effectiveness of first- and second-line pharmacologic treatment strategies used to help people with bipolar disorder who are experiencing a major depressive episode. Another, which will receive $28.5 million, will compare the benefits and potential harms of electroconvulsive therapy and intravenous ketamine for rapid treatment of acute suicidal depression.

In addition, PCORI awarded $52.5 million in support of research focused on improving heart-related health care and outcomes and nearly $3.9 million for two projects that aim to promote wider, faster adoption of useful findings from completed PCORI-funded CER studies into typical care practices.

“Reflecting priorities encapsulated in PCORI’s recently adopted Strategic Plan, today’s funding approvals are an important step in advancing PCORI’s work to generate and disseminate information that improves the quality and relevance of evidence available to help patients and all stakeholders make better-informed decisions about their health,” said PCORI executive director Nakela L. Cook, “Facing a complex healthcare system and many care options, patients need reliable information to help them understand which care options will work best for them in their particular circumstances.” 

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