Using therapy to prevent chronic pain after surgery
PREventing Pain after Surgery: A feasibility and acceptability study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the prevention of chronic post surgical pain (PREPS)
This study is looking at how a short version of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help people getting lumbar spine surgery by reducing the chances of long-lasting pain afterward and cutting down on the need for pain medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10913442 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a way to prevent chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. The approach involves adapting a brief version of ACT to be used before surgery, aiming to improve patients' physical function and quality of life while reducing reliance on opioid medications. The study will assess how acceptable and feasible this intervention is for patients, as well as its preliminary effectiveness in preventing CPSP and minimizing long-term opioid use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals scheduled for lumbar spine surgery who are at risk of developing chronic post-surgical pain.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing lumbar spine surgery or those who do not experience acute pain may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help patients avoid chronic pain after surgery and reduce their need for opioid medications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be effective in managing chronic pain and reducing opioid use, suggesting that this approach may yield positive results in this context.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meints, Samantha M — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Meints, Samantha M
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 below.