Combining mindfulness and placebo treatment to help with chronic pain
Investigating the Feasibility of Combining Mindfulness Intervention and Open-Label Placebo Treatment for Chronic Pain
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 ID | NIH-11145041 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience chronic pain and are seeking alternative treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those who are currently using opioid medications may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Tempe, United States
- 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
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.