Sequential treatment additions to help long-term opioid therapy patients feel better
Official title: Sequential Trial of Adding Buprenorphine, Cognitive Behavioral Treatment, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Outcomes of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain (ACTION)
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11454727 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-step approach tests adding low-dose buprenorphine, cognitive behavioral therapy, and brain stimulation to improve pain and quality of life for people on long-term opioid therapy without forcing a taper.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,069,519 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DA058620-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454727 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults on long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain who are candidates for adding buprenorphine and related therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot tolerate buprenorphine or who do not respond to the initial trial may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This trial tests three evidence-based treatments that can be added to a patient’s current LTOT plan without requiring them to taper off opioids. First, participants try a 7-day initiation of low-dose transdermal buprenorphine to see if it’s safe and tolerable. Next, eligible participants enter a blinded randomized phase to determine if buprenorphine lowers pain severity compared with placebo. Those who benefit may transition off LTOT with continued follow-up to evaluate long-term outcomes, including pain and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce pain and improve daily functioning for people on LTOT while lowering risks associated with long-term opioid use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous smaller studies suggest that adding buprenorphine can help with pain management and withdrawal risk, but larger trials are needed to confirm benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barth, Kelly S. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Barth, Kelly S.
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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.