How sleep disruption affects pain relief and opioid response in chronic pain patients

Effects of Sleep Disruption on Subjective Responses to Opioid Administration in Patients with Chronic Pain

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10794922

This study is looking at how a bad night's sleep affects how well opioid pain medications work for people with chronic low back pain, and it’s for anyone dealing with this condition who wants to understand how sleep might change their pain relief and medication experience.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10794922 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how sleep disruption impacts the way patients with chronic low back pain respond to opioid medications. It focuses on understanding changes in opioid effectiveness and the potential for abuse, particularly in relation to how patients feel after taking the medication. The study will involve both male and female participants, comparing their responses to opioids after experiencing a night of sleep disruption versus a normal night of sleep. By examining these effects, the research aims to uncover important insights into the relationship between sleep, pain, and opioid use.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who suffer from chronic low back pain.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic low back pain or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies for patients with chronic pain, particularly in optimizing opioid use.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that sleep disruption can significantly affect pain perception and medication response, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.