Smoking cessation program for Veterans with chronic pain using interactive voice/phone support
Official title: Enhancing an Intervention for Smokers with Chronic Pain using IVR: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Smoking Cessation Counseling for Veterans
Funded at VA Connecticut Healthcare System · NIH-11360812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A randomized trial tests whether an integrated pain-and-smoking cessation program delivered to Veterans with chronic pain helps people quit smoking better than standard quitting methods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003607-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with chronic pain who smoke and are seeking help to quit and manage pain.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without chronic pain or those not seeking to quit smoking may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project centers on Veterans who smoke and have chronic pain. It builds on a prior finding that combining pain management with smoking cessation may improve quit rates and reduce pain interference. The trial compares a PASS-style intervention that integrates pain coping with smoking cessation against a standard protocol, using IVR-delivered counseling as a key component. Participants will be followed for several months to assess smoking abstinence, pain impact, and mood symptoms. If effective, the approach could offer a more helpful, veteran-tailored path to quitting for those with chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may quit smoking more easily and experience less pain interference, improving overall health and functioning.
How similar studies have gone: A prior comparative effectiveness trial showed higher quit rates and reduced pain interference with the integrated PASS intervention, though it did not exceed the predefined superiority threshold.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bastian, Lori a — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Bastian, Lori a
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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.