Combining mindfulness and placebo treatment to help with chronic pain
Official title: Investigating the Feasibility of Combining Mindfulness Intervention and Open-Label Placebo Treatment for Chronic Pain
Funded at Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · NIH-11145041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether combining mindfulness practices with a harmless placebo treatment can help people with chronic pain feel better, and it’s designed for anyone who struggles with ongoing pain and wants to explore new ways to manage it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tempe, United States) |
| Project start | July 26, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,950 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AT012677-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience chronic pain and are seeking alternative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are currently using opioid medications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of combining mindfulness-based therapies with open-label placebo treatment to alleviate chronic pain. It aims to enhance the benefits of mindfulness by integrating it with a non-deceptive placebo approach, which may activate the body's natural pain relief systems. Participants will engage in mindfulness practices while also receiving a placebo treatment, allowing researchers to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this combined approach. The study will involve a randomized-controlled trial to evaluate how well this method works for managing chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective non-opioid treatment option for individuals suffering from chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with mindfulness therapies and placebo treatments separately, suggesting potential for success with this combined approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Tempe, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mun, Chung Jung — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Mun, Chung Jung
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
-
Mindfulness and psilocybin for chronic back pain
A clinical study will explore how mindfulness training combined with a guided psilocybin experience may reduce pain for adults with chronic low back pain.
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Mobile mindfulness app to help spinal cord injury patients manage chronic pain
A widely available mindfulness app is being tested to help people with spinal cord injury reduce chronic pain and improve mood and daily functioning.
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Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
A non-drug program using mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis is being studied to help Americans aged 60 and up manage chronic pain.
-
Mindfulness and self-hypnosis to ease chronic pain in older adults
This project tests whether mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis can reduce chronic pain and change brain activity in people aged 60 and older.
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Mindfulness combined with open-label placebo for chronic pain
This project tests whether adding an open-label placebo to a mindfulness program helps adults with chronic pain reduce pain and improve daily functioning.
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.