Improving treatment for addiction and pain through exercise and therapy

Enhancing Exercise and Psychotherapy to Treat Comorbid Addiction and Pain for ImprovingAdherence to Medication Assisted Treatment in Opioid Use Disorders

NIH-funded research Case Western Reserve University · NIH-10874582

This study is looking at how combining exercise and therapy can help adults with opioid use disorders and chronic pain stick to their treatment, feel better, and reduce cravings, all while improving their overall health and well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCase Western Reserve University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-10874582 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing treatment for adults with opioid use disorders who also experience chronic pain. It investigates how combining exercise and psychotherapy can improve adherence to medication-assisted treatment. The approach includes assessing the effects of exercise on reducing cravings and improving mental health, which may help prevent relapse. By engaging in higher intensity exercise, participants may also experience pain relief and improvements in their overall well-being.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are undergoing treatment for opioid use disorders and also suffer from chronic pain.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a substance use disorder or chronic pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for individuals struggling with both addiction and chronic pain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that exercise can positively impact addiction recovery and pain management, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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.
Conditions addictive disorder
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.