The Patient Advisory Board Is Established: Integrating Patient Perspectives into the GAPP Study
TEDDY is pleased to announce the establishment of the Patient Advisory Board (PAB) within the GAPP Study (Gabapentin for the Treatment of Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents), marking an important milestone in strengthening patient and family involvement in paediatric clinical research.
The Patient Advisory Board brings together young people living with chronic pain, caregivers, and representatives from Young Persons Advisory Groups (YPAGs), creating a dedicated space for patient voices to contribute directly to the research process.
The first advisory activities will begin shortly and will be carried out in close collaboration with clinical and scientific experts involved in the project. Through this structured engagement process, PAB members will contribute their perspectives and lived experience to support a more inclusive, participatory and patient-centred approach to research.
The GAPP Study is a multicentre, non-profit Phase III clinical study sponsored by TEDDY Network and conducted by an international consortium of paediatric hospitals and research institutions across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of a paediatric liquid formulation of gabapentin for children and adolescents affected by chronic moderate to severe neuropathic, nociplastic or mixed pain.
Chronic pain remains a significant and often under-recognised condition in the paediatric population and can substantially affect quality of life, daily functioning, emotional well-being and social participation. Although gabapentin is frequently used in clinical practice, evidence supporting its use in children remains limited, and paediatric-specific formulations are not yet broadly available.
Through the Patient Advisory Board, patients and families will actively contribute to key phases of the project, including reviewing selected study materials, informing the development of patient-relevant outputs, providing feedback on research activities, and supporting dissemination efforts. Their involvement is intended to ensure that patient priorities and experiences remain central throughout the implementation of the study.
The establishment of the PAB reflects TEDDY’s commitment to advancing meaningful patient engagement and promoting research that responds to the real needs of children and adolescents living with chronic pain.