A walking program to help veterans with chronic pain and opioid use disorder
Official title: An adaptive walking intervention to manage chronic pain in veterans with opioid use disorder engaged in opioid agonist treatment
Funded at VA Connecticut Healthcare System · NIH-10975946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a walking program can help veterans with chronic pain who are also being treated for opioid use disorder, aiming to improve their pain management and overall well-being through regular walking sessions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2021 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002286-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have chronic pain and are currently receiving opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pain or are not engaged in opioid agonist treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a walking intervention designed to help veterans who experience chronic pain and are undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder. The program aims to integrate non-pharmacologic approaches, specifically walking, into the existing opioid agonist treatment regimen. By focusing on behavioral strategies, the research seeks to improve pain management and overall well-being for these veterans. Participants will engage in structured walking sessions, which are a key component of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide veterans with effective, non-drug-based strategies to manage chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that walking and cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective in managing chronic pain, suggesting that this approach may yield positive results.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maclean, Robert Ross — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Maclean, Robert Ross
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.