Using open-label placebos to help reduce opioid use in chronic pain patients

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of open-label placebos (OLP) in reducing the daily morphine equivalent dose (MED) in patients suffering from chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). Participants will be divided into two groups, one receiving the OLP intervention and the other receiving electronic monitoring (EM) as a control. Over six weeks, various psychological and health measures will be assessed through questionnaires, alongside evaluations of opioid withdrawal symptoms and safety outcomes. The hypothesis is that those receiving OLP will show a significant reduction in opioid consumption compared to the control group.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed Informed Consent
* ≥ 18 years of age
* German speaking
* Pain lasting ≥ 4 weeks, including subacute pain (4-12 weeks) and chronic pain (\>12 weeks)
* Opioid medication for pain management for ≥ 4 weeks
* Oral intake of opioid medication
* Motivation for opioid reduction
* Participants have a primary treating physician who performs the reduction of the opioid medication
* Having access to a computer or tablet with an email-account

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having psychotic symptoms
* Suicidality
* Cognitive impairment to everyday life
* Planned surgery within the next two months that is expected to affect opioid intake
* Known illegal drug or harmful alcohol consumption
* Intolerance of the ingredients of the placebo pill (e.g., lactose, sucrose, corn-starch)
* Serious health problems that make study participation impossible
* Simultaneous participation in other studies with investigational drugs or pain specific interventions

Where it's running

• University Hospital Zurich, Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine
  Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Cosima Locher, PhD — Usz
• Study coordinator: Cosima Locher, PhD
• Email: Cosima.Locher@usz.ch
• Phone: +41 44 255 12 03

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.