Improving motivation for non-drug treatments for chronic pain and reducing opioid use

Addressing the “Readiness Gap:” An eHealth Intervention to Increase Patient Motivation for Evidence-Based Chronic Pain Interventions and Reduced Opioid Reliance

NIH-funded research Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10931585

This study is creating an online program to help people with chronic pain feel more motivated to try non-drug treatments instead of relying on long-term opioid medications, making it easier for them to access the support they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Richmond, United States)
Project IDNIH-10931585 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop an online intervention that helps patients with chronic pain become more motivated to use non-drug treatments instead of relying on long-term opioid therapy. It focuses on addressing barriers such as low motivation and logistical challenges that prevent patients from accessing effective behavioral therapies. The intervention will utilize techniques like Motivational Interviewing and Contingency Management to encourage behavior change and enhance readiness for treatment. By leveraging eHealth technology, the research seeks to improve access to these interventions for patients in need.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are currently on long-term opioid therapy and are struggling with chronic pain.

Not a fit: Patients who are not on long-term opioid therapy or do not have chronic pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management of chronic pain without the risks associated with long-term opioid use.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that behavioral interventions like Motivational Interviewing and Contingency Management can effectively enhance patient motivation and treatment adherence.

Where this research is happening

Richmond, 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 2026-06-10 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.