Using telemedicine and digital tools to reduce opioid use after knee and hip surgery
Official title: Telemedicine-delivered digital cognitive behavioral intervention to decrease post-operative opioid use among patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasty
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11137747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how a digital program delivered through telemedicine can help people use fewer opioids after knee or hip replacement surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $198,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA061414-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients preparing for or recovering from total knee or hip replacement surgery who are concerned about opioid use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not undergo total knee or hip replacement surgery or who are not concerned about opioid use may not find direct benefit from this specific program.
What this research studies
After knee or hip replacement surgery, many people need pain medication, but there's a risk of using opioids for too long. This project offers a digital program, similar to therapy, that you can access on your smartphone. It also includes support from a coach through telemedicine. The goal is to help you manage pain and anxiety without relying heavily on opioids after your operation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a safe and convenient way for patients to manage pain and reduce their need for opioids after surgery, potentially lowering the risk of opioid dependence.
How similar studies have gone: Digital cognitive behavioral interventions, especially when combined with telemedicine coaching, have shown promise in reducing pain and opioid use in other patient groups.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chelly, Jacques E. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Chelly, Jacques E.
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Using telemedicine to provide digital therapy that reduces opioid use after knee and hip surgeries
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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.