Optimizing Opioid Tapering with Mindfulness for Chronic Pain
Official title: Optimizing Patient-Centered Opioid Tapering with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11454728 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly program tests a mindfulness-based approach to help adults with chronic pain reduce long-term opioid use safely.
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 | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,136,088 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DA058621-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454728 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic pain who are on long-term opioid therapy and are considering tapering.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not seeking to change current opioid use or not open to behavioral tapering approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you rely on long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain, this project explores a patient-centered method that combines mindfulness practices with a structured taper plan to reduce opioid-related risks. Researchers will adapt an integrative behavioral treatment to support individuals as they gradually decrease opioids while addressing pain and emotional well-being. The study builds on neuroscience insights to target how the brain’s reward systems respond during tapering, aiming to lessen urges and improve coping. Participants will receive personalized support and behavioral tools designed to fit real-life routines and beliefs about pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help people lower their opioid use while managing pain more safely and with less distress.
How similar studies have gone: Related behavioral tapers and mindfulness-based programs have shown promise, but this project tests a novel integration specifically for opioid tapering.
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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Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
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Prenatal mindfulness and inflammatory pathways to support mom and baby health
A study from Oregon Health & Science University will explore how mindfulness during pregnancy might influence inflammatory signals and improve emotional well-being for mothers and healthy development for their children.
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A clinical study will explore how mindfulness training combined with a guided psilocybin experience may reduce pain for adults with chronic low back pain.
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.