Improving safe opioid tapering using mindfulness techniques

Optimizing Patient-Centered Opioid Tapering with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11228324

This study is all about helping people with chronic pain who are using opioids for a long time to safely cut back on their medication using a friendly approach that combines mindfulness and helpful strategies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11228324 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on helping patients with chronic pain who are on long-term opioid therapy to safely reduce their opioid use. It employs a novel approach called Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, which combines mindfulness practices with behavioral strategies to address the underlying issues of opioid misuse. The goal is to create a patient-centered tapering process that minimizes risks associated with opioid withdrawal and misuse. By understanding the brain's reward systems, the research aims to provide effective support for patients during their tapering journey.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with chronic pain who are currently receiving long-term opioid therapy and may be experiencing issues related to opioid misuse.

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

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective methods for tapering off opioids, reducing the risk of misuse and improving overall patient well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using mindfulness and behavioral interventions for managing chronic pain and reducing opioid misuse, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, 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 2026-06-15 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.