Mindfulness-based brain science to reduce pain and opioid use in chronic back pain
Official title: Analgesic and Opioid Sparing Brain Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Chronic Low Back Pain
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11348866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at UC San Diego tests how Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement may help people with chronic low back pain use fewer opioids by changing brain activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $628,612 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT011772-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic low back pain who are current or at risk for opioid use and are willing to participate in mindfulness-based treatment and brain-imaging sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without chronic low back pain or those unable to participate in mindfulness training or imaging procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
People with chronic low back pain often rely on opioids, which can lead to misuse. This project investigates how Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement changes brain mechanisms to lessen pain and cut opioid use, using a rigorous, sham-control design. The research looks at real brain changes and their connection to pain relief and safer medication use, with participants undergoing brain imaging and guided mindfulness practices. Results could help transform non-drug options for managing chronic back pain and reducing opioid-related risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to more effective, non-drug treatments that reduce pain and lower reliance on opioids for chronic back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests mindfulness-based therapies can reduce pain and opioid use, with ongoing efforts to uncover neural mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garland, Eric Lee — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Garland, Eric Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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This study is testing a mindfulness program called OPTIMUM to see if it can help people with chronic low back pain manage their pain better without using medications, and it's designed for patients visiting their primary care doctors.
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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.