Exploring how mindfulness can help reduce chronic low back pain and opioid use
Analgesic and Opioid Sparing Brain Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Chronic Low Back Pain
This study is looking at how a mindfulness program can help people with chronic low back pain feel better and use fewer pain medications, while also exploring how these mindfulness practices affect the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098663 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) in alleviating chronic low back pain (cLBP) and reducing reliance on opioids. By integrating mindfulness with techniques for regulating emotions, the study aims to uncover the brain mechanisms that contribute to pain relief and decreased opioid consumption. Participants will engage in mindfulness practices while researchers will use advanced imaging techniques to observe brain activity and understand how these practices work. The study includes a rigorous control group to ensure the findings are robust and reliable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic low back pain who are currently using or at risk of using opioids.
Not a fit: Patients with acute back pain or those who do not have a history of opioid use may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic low back pain and reducing opioid dependency.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical trials have shown that mindfulness-based interventions can effectively reduce chronic pain and opioid use, suggesting a promising avenue for this research.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garland, Eric Lee — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Garland, Eric Lee
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.