Improving pain management for patients on buprenorphine
Treating Chronic Pain in Buprenorphine Patients in Primary Care Settings
This study is testing a new team-based approach to help people who are using buprenorphine for opioid use disorder and also dealing with chronic pain and depression, by comparing a special treatment plan with a health education program to see which one helps improve their pain and overall well-being better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10561600 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new approach to help patients who are receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder and also suffer from chronic pain and depression. The study introduces a collaborative care model called TOPPS, where behavioral health specialists and primary care providers work together to create a unified treatment plan. Participants will receive either the TOPPS intervention or a health education program over three months, with follow-ups for a year to assess the effectiveness of the treatment in improving pain and overall well-being.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder who also experience chronic pain and depressive symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients who are not on buprenorphine or do not have chronic pain or depression may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel non-pharmacological treatment option for managing pain and depression in patients undergoing buprenorphine therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have shown that similar collaborative care approaches can be feasible and effective, indicating promise for this novel intervention.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Michael D — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Stein, Michael D
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.