Combined pain care and support for opioid recovery
Integrated Care for Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder: The IMPOWR Research Center at Montefiore/Einstein (IMPOWR-ME)
This center compares non-drug treatments and a phone app to help people who have both chronic pain and opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160612 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a program that runs two linked clinical trials offering integrated options for people with chronic pain and OUD. One trial compares three approaches including onsite yoga and physical therapy delivered at methadone treatment programs. The other trial compares three approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and a care-management smartphone app for people receiving buprenorphine in primary care. The center also works with people who have lived experience and trains new researchers to improve future care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic pain who are receiving methadone or buprenorphine treatment at participating Montefiore/Einstein clinics are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without both chronic pain and opioid use disorder, or those not receiving care at the participating clinics, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this center's trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could expand non-drug treatments and app-based support to reduce pain and improve recovery for people with OUD.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies show benefits of yoga, physical therapy, ACT, and care apps separately, but combining these approaches within addiction treatment settings is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Starrels, Joanna L. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Starrels, Joanna L.
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 below.