# PREventing Pain after Surgery: A feasibility and acceptability study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the prevention of chronic post surgical pain (PREPS)

> **NIH NIH K23** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $75,160

## Abstract

Abstract
More than 10% of the U.S. population seeks care for spine pain each year with rates of surgical procedures on
the rise. One of the most challenging yet common sequelae of lumbar spine surgery is chronic post-surgical
pain (CPSP). CPSP is associated with poor physical function and remains difficult to treat. Indeed, it is
frequently treated with opioid medications, despite evidence that long term opioid use for the treatment of
chronic pain may not be effective and may increase the risk of overdose-related death. Therefore, the need to
prevent the transition from acute to chronic post-surgical pain is great, especially for patients undergoing
lumbar spine surgery. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychosocial intervention that has
been effective in improving physical function and quality of life among patients with chronic pain as well
treating opioid use disorders. Thus, it stands to reason that ACT may be a promising tool for the prevention of
CPSP and long-term opioid use. It has also been modified into brief formats in order increase adherence and
minimize treatment barriers such as cost and access. The present study aims to adapt and modify a brief
presurgical ACT intervention aimed at preventing the transition to CPSP and reducing long-term opioid use.
We will then assess the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the finalized intervention to
prevent the transition to CPSP and reduce post-surgical opioid use six months following lumbar spine
surgery. Finally, we will identify psychosocial and psychophysical phenotypes associated with response to
this intervention. Together, this study will afford me the opportunity to gain training in treatment
development and implementation and development and execution of clinical trial while advancing my long-
term goal of developing mechanistically-based nonpharmacologic interventions to prevent the development
of CPSP and reduce the risk of long-term opioid use.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11072714
- **Project number:** 3K23AR077088-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Samantha M Meints
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $75,160
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11072714

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11072714, PREventing Pain after Surgery: A feasibility and acceptability study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the prevention of chronic post surgical pain (PREPS) (3K23AR077088-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11072714. Licensed CC0.

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