Reducing opioid use in patients undergoing rehabilitation for pain management
Official title: Opioid Dose Reduction in Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation: A pharmaco-behavioral approach
Funded at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NIH-10890765 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlestown, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $155,382 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DA052041-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890765 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients experiencing significant pain during their rehabilitation process who are currently receiving or may require opioid analgesics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience pain or those who are not undergoing rehabilitation may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: Similar approaches using behavioral interventions for pain management have shown promise, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Charlestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morales-Quezada, Jorge Leon — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Study coordinator: Morales-Quezada, Jorge Leon
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.