Using yoga to help manage chronic pain in people undergoing treatment for opioid addiction
Official title: Optimization and multi-site feasibility of yoga for chronic pain in people in treatment for opioid use disorder
Funded at Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) · NIH-10795107 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Hatha yoga can help people with chronic pain who are also getting treatment for opioid use disorder, aiming to make yoga classes that not only ease pain but also improve overall well-being and reduce cravings for opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $732,955 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT010863-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795107 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder who also experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic pain or are not undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of Hatha yoga as a complementary approach to managing chronic pain in individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder. The study aims to optimize a yoga intervention package that enhances participation and reduces pain-related disability and severity. By focusing on behavioral strategies, the research seeks to address the challenges of pharmacological pain management in this population. Participants will engage in yoga classes designed to improve their overall well-being and potentially reduce cravings for opioids.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-pharmacological method for managing chronic pain, improving quality of life, and reducing the risk of opioid misuse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that yoga can be effective in managing chronic pain in other populations, suggesting potential success for this approach in opioid use disorder patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uebelacker, Lisa a — Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
- Study coordinator: Uebelacker, Lisa 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.