Reducing opioid use in patients undergoing rehabilitation for pain management

Opioid Dose Reduction in Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation: A pharmaco-behavioral approach

NIH-funded research Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NIH-10890765

This study is looking for ways to help people in rehab manage their pain better without relying too much on opioids, using a new technique that combines the power of the mind and medicine, and it’s designed for anyone who’s going through intensive rehabilitation.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSpaulding Rehabilitation Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlestown, United States)
Project IDNIH-10890765 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing and testing new methods to manage pain in patients undergoing intensive rehabilitation, particularly those who are often prescribed opioids. It aims to implement a novel approach called Conditioning Open-Label Placebo (COLP), which leverages the principles of classical conditioning to enhance the effectiveness of pain relief while minimizing opioid use. The study will involve a pilot randomized clinical trial to assess how well this method works and to understand the underlying mechanisms of pain management. By exploring both behavioral and pharmacological strategies, the research seeks to improve patient outcomes during rehabilitation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients experiencing significant pain during their rehabilitation process who are currently receiving or may require opioid analgesics.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience pain or those who are not undergoing rehabilitation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective pain management strategies that reduce reliance on opioids for patients in rehabilitation.

How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches using behavioral interventions for pain management have shown promise, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

Charlestown, 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 2026-06-13 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.