Helping Cancer Survivors Manage Pain

Enhanced Pain Coping in Cancer (EPIC)

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11128665

This opportunity explores if a special mindfulness program can help breast cancer survivors find relief from chronic pain, especially pain related to aromatase inhibitor medication.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11128665 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many cancer survivors experience ongoing pain, which can make daily life harder and affect treatment adherence. For breast cancer survivors taking aromatase inhibitors, a specific type of joint pain called AIA is very common and often not well-controlled by current treatments. This initiative introduces a program called Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), which teaches mindfulness, how to reframe thoughts, and how to savor positive experiences. We want to see if this program can effectively reduce pain and other related symptoms for these survivors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are breast cancer survivors experiencing chronic pain, particularly those with aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia (AIA).

Not a fit: Patients whose pain is not chronic or not related to cancer survivorship or aromatase inhibitor use may not receive direct benefit from this specific approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could offer a new, non-drug option for breast cancer survivors to significantly reduce chronic pain and improve their overall well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) has shown promise in managing chronic pain in other populations, but its effectiveness specifically for breast cancer survivors needs further confirmation.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.