About

Kimberly Sibille, Ph.D., M.A., is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine, at the University of Florida College of Medicine. She is also the Director of the Pain TRAIL, Translational Research in Assessment and Intervention Lab, and an affiliate faculty member in the University of Florida Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, Institute on Aging, and School of Advanced Dental Sciences. Dr. Sibille is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Her professional career began with roles as a health and fitness educator and a licensed mental health counselor, focusing on improving health outcomes across diverse populations, including children and older adults. She has managed outreach programs for homeless adults and families, overseen psycho-oncology programs, and served as a behavioral health faculty member in a family medicine residency program, where she observed healthcare gaps related to psychosocial and biomedical research and the limited availability of non-pharmacological treatments. Inspired by her clinical experiences, Dr. Sibille earned a doctoral degree in Psychology/Clinical Psychology with concentrations in Neuropsychology and Health Psychology from Fielding Graduate University in 2008. She completed post-doctoral training in Clinical/Translational Pain Research at the University of Florida in 2010. Her research focuses on bridging the biomedical, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of chronic pain, a major public health issue with significant functional, financial, and health consequences. Her work investigates the biological interface of chronic pain, risk and buffering factors affecting health outcomes, and the development of biological measures to monitor treatment response. Her long-term goal is to enhance understanding of chronic pain, identify factors influencing health disparities, and develop strategies to prevent or reduce chronic pain and improve functioning, with a strong emphasis on mentoring future researchers and healthcare providers.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Physical therapy
• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Surgery
• Nursing
• Intensive care medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Clinical psychology
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Urology
• Bioinformatics

Selected publications

• Krill Oil for Pain in Elders (KOPE): Protocol for a Pilot, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Feasibility and Acceptability of 4 g/d Krill Oil Supplementation in Older Adults with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Mobility Limitations

  British Journal Of Nutrition · 2026-05-18

  articleOpen access

  Mobility limitations due to chronic musculoskeletal pain are a major contributor to disability in older adults, yet current pharmacological treatments often have limited efficacy and increase the risk of polypharmacy. Omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, but are under-consumed among older U.S. adults. Krill oil, a marine-derived source of EPA and DHA with enhanced bioavailability compared to typical fish oils and additional bioactive compounds such as astaxanthin and choline, may offer a promising nutritional intervention. This pilot study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 3-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of krill oil supplementation (4 g/day: 1,288 mg EPA+DHA, 0.45 mg astaxanthin, 320 mg choline) versus placebo (mixed vegetable oils) in 40 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Primary outcomes include feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence) and acceptability (participant satisfaction). Secondary outcomes include changes in the omega-3 index, ω-6/ω-3 ratio, and inflammation (hs-CRP), as well as exploratory changes in pain intensity and functional interference, and physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery, 6-Minute Walk Test). Findings will inform the design of future fully powered trials that may ultimately contribute to the evidence for omega-3 supplementation as a non-pharmacological strategy to support healthy aging and functional independence in older adults.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• At-Home Morning Bright Light Treatment for Chronic Nociplastic Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial

  JMIR Research Protocols · 2025-08-29 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia, the quintessential nociplastic pain condition, affects more than 20 million Americans and results in significant disability, lost productivity, and poor quality of life, with profound individual and societal cost. As pharmacological treatment approaches offer only modest benefits and result in a high rate of discontinuation due to adverse effects, nonpharmacological interventions such as physical therapy, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy are recommended. However, cost and access to these treatments can create barriers to care, and engagement can be problematic. Morning bright light treatment is a promising option for improving fibromyalgia symptoms, with early studies indicating clinically meaningful improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to prospectively examine the potential benefits and active elements of morning bright light treatment and sleep timing stabilization for individuals with fibromyalgia in the largest randomized controlled trial to date. METHODS: We will recruit 390 adults who meet diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and report at least mild symptoms. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: 4 weeks of morning bright light treatment (1 hour per day, using a commercially available Re-timer device), 4 weeks of sleep timing stabilization alone (a component of morning bright light treatment, some benefit anticipated), or 4 weeks of treatment as usual, with equivalent study contact. Patient-reported outcomes of function and pain will be assessed before and after treatment, with mood, sleep quality, and morningness-eveningness examined as potential mediators of treatment effects. Social determinants of health risk will be examined as a potential moderator influencing baseline symptoms, treatment engagement, and treatment response. RESULTS: Data collection began in September 2024 and is projected to end in March 2029. CONCLUSIONS: Morning bright light treatment is well-positioned to be an effective nonpharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia with minimal side effects. The study findings will provide important insights relevant to the development of morning bright light treatment as an accessible treatment for chronic nociplastic pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06567886; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06567886. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/75060.

  PublisherDOI

• At-Home Morning Bright Light Treatment for Chronic Nociplastic Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial (Preprint)

  2025-03-27

  article

  <sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Fibromyalgia, the quintessential nociplastic pain condition, affects more than 20 million Americans and results in significant disability, lost productivity, and poor quality of life, with profound individual and societal cost. As pharmacological treatment approaches offer only modest benefits and result in a high rate of discontinuation due to adverse effects, nonpharmacological interventions such as physical therapy, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy are recommended. However, cost and access to these treatments can create barriers to care, and engagement can be problematic. Morning bright light treatment is a promising option for improving fibromyalgia symptoms, with early studies indicating clinically meaningful improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study aims to prospectively examine the potential benefits and active elements of morning bright light treatment and sleep timing stabilization for individuals with fibromyalgia in the largest randomized controlled trial to date. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> We will recruit 390 adults who meet diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and report at least mild symptoms. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: 4 weeks of morning bright light treatment (1 hour per day, using a commercially available Re-timer device), 4 weeks of sleep timing stabilization alone (a component of morning bright light treatment, some benefit anticipated), or 4 weeks of treatment as usual, with equivalent study contact. Patient-reported outcomes of function and pain will be assessed before and after treatment, with mood, sleep quality, and morningness-eveningness examined as potential mediators of treatment effects. Social determinants of health risk will be examined as a potential moderator influencing baseline symptoms, treatment engagement, and treatment response. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Data collection began in September 2024 and is projected to end in March 2029. </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Morning bright light treatment is well-positioned to be an effective nonpharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia with minimal side effects. The study findings will provide important insights relevant to the development of morning bright light treatment as an accessible treatment for chronic nociplastic pain. </sec> <sec> <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06567886; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06567886 </sec> <sec> <title>INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT</title> DERR1-10.2196/75060 </sec>

  PublisherDOI

• Relationship of strength training lifetime exposure with functional outcomes and mobility over 4 years: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

  Journal of sport and health science/Journal of Sport and Health Science · 2025-11-19

  articleOpen access

  • Among 3192 individuals at risk for, or who had symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, lifelong participation in strength training activity can boost sport and recreational participation levels in later life. • Individuals who did not engage in any strength training during life had the highest prevalence of mobility loss and assistive device use after 50 years of age. • Participation in some strength training during different life periods or participation in all life periods is related to lower knee pain severity compared to no strength training participation. • Strength training throughout life may help people with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis maintain functional levels and activity in sport and recreational activities in later life, while keeping knee pain levels relatively lower. This study compared knee osteoarthritis (OA) outcomes specific to pain, physical function, and quality of life in later life based on strength training (ST) participation over a lifetime. Participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative ( n = 3192) were grouped by ST engagement during ages 12–18 years, 19–34 years, 35–49 years, and 50+ years. Participants were categorized as: No ST (no ST at any point; 61.7 ± 9.0 years (mean ± SD)), Some ST (engaged in ST during 1–3 life stages; 58.9 ± 8.7 years), and Lifelong ST (consistently engaged in ST across all life stages; 55.6 ± 8.1 years). Measures were collected at baseline and Year 4: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores (WOMAC; pain, daily activities), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS; sports, recreation), Physical Activity Score for the Elderly (PASE), Short Form-12 Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS), mobility disability, chair rise time, and walking speed (20-m and 400-m). At Year 4, the Lifelong ST group reported better WOMAC activity scores in the right knee along with better WOMAC pain, KOOS sports/recreation, and PASE scores compared to other groups ( p < 0.05). The Lifelong ST group had the lowest incidence of mobility disability of all groups (0.8% vs. 2.3%–4.1%; p = 0.015) and maintained the fastest walking speeds in Year 4. For those with knee OA, ST throughout life may help preserve function and mobility, allowing for greater physical activity engagement while keeping pain levels relatively lower.

  PublisherDOI

• More than chronic pain: behavioural and psychosocial protective factors predict lower brain age in adults with/at risk of knee osteoarthritis over two years

  Brain Communications · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The interplay between chronic musculoskeletal pain and brain ageing is complex. Studies employing machine learning models to assess relationships between brain age and chronic pain generally show that higher chronic pain severity associates with older brain age. Analyses to date have not considered individual and community-level socioenvironmental risk factors or behavioural/psychosocial protective factors as potential modifiers of cross-sectional and longitudinal brain age. This study aimed to elucidate the relationships between chronic pain, socioenvironmental risk, behavioural/psychosocial protective factors, and brain ageing. The sample comprised 197 adults (Men:Women = 68:129) from a prospective observational cohort study. Most individuals reported knee pain and were with/at risk of osteoarthritis. A subset of 128 participants (Men:Women = 41:87) completed a follow-up MRI session at 2 years and were included in the longitudinal analysis (Aim 2). Participants were 45-85 years of age and self-identified as non-Hispanic Black or non-Hispanic White. Data collected included demographics, health history, pain assessments, individual and community-level socioenvironmental factors (education, income, household size, marital and insurance status, and area deprivation index) coded as a summative socioenvironmental risk variable, and behavioural/psychosocial factors (tobacco use, waist circumference, optimism, positive and negative affect, perceived stress, perceived social support, sleep) coded as a summative behavioural/psychosocial protective factor variable. Structural MRI data were used to estimate brain age by applying a machine learning approach (DeepBrainNet). Cross-sectional analyses utilized regression and analysis of variance, while longitudinal analyses utilized a linear mixed model. Higher chronic pain stage and socioenvironmental risk are associated with an increased brain age gap (the difference between chronological age and predicted brain age). Participants who had higher socioenvironmental risk had brains that were about three years older than those of participants with lower risk. Having more behavioural/psychosocial protective factors correlated with a lower brain age gap; participants with higher behavioural/psychosocial protective factors had brains that were over three years younger than participants with fewer behavioural/psychosocial protective factors. Longitudinally, higher baseline behavioural/psychosocial protective factors are associated with lower brain age over the 2-year span, beyond the effects of chronic pain stage and socioenvironmental risk. Our findings show behavioural/psychosocial protective factors may counteract neurobiological ageing and help buffer the brain from chronic pain.

  PublisherDOI

• Real-Time and Long-Term Effects of Medical Marijuana on Older Adults: Protocol for the Study on Medical Marijuana and its Long-Term Effects (the SMILE study) Prospective Cohort (Preprint)

  2025-06-18

  preprint

  <sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Older adults represent the fastest-growing group of medical marijuana (MM) users in the United States, with chronic pain being the most common reason for use. Despite this trend, scientific evidence remains limited regarding the short- and long-term effects of MM on critical health outcomes, including cognitive function, physical and mental health, and overall quality of life in this population. To better inform clinical practice and public policy, there is a clear need for more rigorous, longitudinal studies that examine the impact of real-world MM products over time. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The Study on Medical Marijuana and Its Long-Term Effects on Older Adults (SMILE) is a prospective cohort study with a comparison group of adults with chronic pain not using MM. SMILE includes technology-based remote assessments and quarterly in-person visits. The study aims to 1) determine MM’s short- and long-term effects on pain, physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, and quality of life in older adults; and 2) identify MM product characteristics and patient subgroups associated with improved outcomes and side effects. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> This study will recruit and follow 440 older adults (50 years or older, ~50% &gt;65, ~50% male) with chronic pain for 12 months, as some initiate MM (MM group, n=330) and others do not (comparison group, n=110). Subjective and objective data will be collected at quarterly in-person visits (including survey, cognitive assessments, pain sensory tests, blood pressure collection and blood/urine samples), and via periodic smartphone- and sensor-based measurements at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data will capture detailed MM use patterns and subjective short-term outcomes (e.g., pain intensity rating), which will be supplemented with objective data collected by a Fitbit device (e.g., physical activity and sleep). </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Recruitment for the SMILE study began in July 2022 and is expected to continue until 2025. Participant follow-up will be completed by 2026. </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> With multisource data collected in real-time and over 12 months, our study will provide much-needed scientific evidence addressing: 1) whether MM can reduce pain and improve physical and emotional functioning in the short term among older adults; 2) whether effects of MM last for 12 months and demonstrate changes in quality of life or cognition; and 3) whether health benefits and consequences differ by MM product type and whether individual differences (e.g. sex, baseline pain phenotyping) moderate the relationship. Our findings will offer valuable insights for physicians and patients when considering MM as a treatment option, and will help guide more informed, individualized care decisions. </sec>

  PublisherDOI

• Applying a Novel Whole Person Approach Findings Show Sex Differences in a Measure of Allostatic Load in Diverse Mid-Older Adults with Chronic Pain Associated with/risk for Knee Osteoarthritis

  Journal of Pain · 2025-04-01 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Real-Time and Long-Term Effects of Medical Marijuana on Older Adults: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study

  JMIR Research Protocols · 2025-11-30

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Older adults represent the fastest-growing group of medical marijuana (MM) users in the United States, with chronic pain being the most common reason for use. Despite this trend, scientific evidence remains limited regarding the short- and long-term effects of MM on critical health outcomes, including cognitive function, physical and mental health, and overall quality of life in this population. To better inform clinical practice and public policy, there is a clear need for more rigorous, longitudinal studies that examine the impact of real-world MM products over time. OBJECTIVE: The Study on Medical Marijuana and Its Long-Term Effects on Older Adults (SMILE) is a prospective cohort study that aims to 1) determine MM's short- and long-term effects on pain, physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, and quality of life in older adults; and 2) identify MM product characteristics and patient subgroups associated with improved outcomes and side effects. METHODS: This study will recruit and follow 440 older adults (50 years or older, ~50% >65, ~50% male) with chronic pain for 12 months, as some initiate MM (MM group, n=330) and others do not (comparison group, n=110). Data collection included quarterly survey questionnaires (focusing longitudinal changes in cannabis use, pain, physical and emotional functioning, side effects, and quality of life); baseline and 12-month cognitive assessments, pain sensory tests, and blood/urine samples for cannabis use; and periodic smartphone- and Fitbit sensor-based measurements to capture detailed MM use patterns, real-time pain, mental health, and objective data on physical activity and sleep. Data will be analyzed using descriptive analyses, generalized linear mixed effects models, and generalized estimating equations models to assess differences in short- and long-term effects between the MM and comparison groups, and subgroups among those initiating MM treatment. RESULTS: Recruitment for the SMILE study began in July 2022 and all data collection is expected to be completed by 2026. As of October 2025, we enrolled 399 participants, with 277 in the MM group and 122 in the comparison group. Data analysis is currently underway, and results are expected to be published starting in 2027. CONCLUSIONS: With multisource data collected in real-time and over 12 months, our study will provide much-needed scientific evidence addressing: 1) whether MM can reduce pain and improve physical and emotional functioning in the short term among older adults; 2) whether effects of MM last for 12 months and demonstrate changes in quality of life or cognition; and 3) whether health benefits and consequences differ by MM product type and whether individual differences (e.g. sex, baseline pain phenotyping) moderate the relationship. Our findings will offer valuable insights for physicians and patients when considering MM as a treatment option, and will help guide more informed, individualized care decisions.

  PublisherDOI

• Chronic Pain with Intermittent Frequency Promotes Biological Adaptation in Older Rats

  Journal of Pain · 2025-04-01

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Measurement of Pain Frequency Associated With Knee Osteoarthritis: Future Directions

  Journal of Pain · 2024-04-30

  letterOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant K23AR062099

  NIH · $473k · 2018

• Health Disparities in Osteoarthritis: Biological Aging, Stress, and Pain - Modulation by Resilience Factors

  NIH · $3.4M · 2016–2024

Frequent coauthors

• Roger B. Fillingim

  University of Florida

  143 shared

• Burel R. Goodin

  Washington University in St. Louis

  109 shared

• Roland Staud

  University of Florida

  101 shared

• Toni L. Glover

  Oakland University

  74 shared

• Yenisel Cruz‐Almeida

  University of Florida

  58 shared

• Laurence A. Bradley

  56 shared

• David T. Redden

  Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

  56 shared

• Emily J. Bartley

  University of Florida

  47 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Psychology/Clinical Psychology with concentrations in Neuropsychology and Health Psychology

  Fielding Graduate University

Awards & honors

• 2023 University of Florida College of Medicine Exemplary Tea…
• 2017-2020 College of Medicine’s University of Florida Term P…
• 2017 University of Florida’s Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi…
• 2017 Excellence Award for Assistant Professors, University o…
• 2011-2017 National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Award