# Randomized trial of telephonic pain self-management to promote opioid tapering

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2020 · $610,540

## Abstract

In our NIDA-funded R34 pilot study of pain self-management training for prescription opioid taper support, we
demonstrated that 22 weeks of opioid taper support promotes opioid dose reduction more effectively than
usual care (43% vs 19% dose reduction from baseline) with no increase in pain intensity and significantly
reduced activity interference. We now propose to adapt and test this intervention in a large integrated primary
care system. To address patients’ fears of opioid taper that limited recruitment into our pilot study, we will begin
with randomization to pain self-management training and then offer the option of self-paced opioid taper: Pain
Self-Management Training for Opioid Taper (PSMOT). Specifically, we will test the effectiveness of this
intervention, compared with usual care, on opioid dose and pain outcomes among patients on high dose (≥ 50
mg morphine equivalent dose) LtOT in a randomized controlled trial. This intervention will have 4 components:
a) telephone-delivered evidence-based pain self-management training, b) web-based video of successfully
tapered patients with motivational interviewing debriefing, c) a voluntary, self-paced opioid taper, and d) opioid
and non-opioid prescribing guidance for the patient’s primary care provider. Specific Aim 1: To adapt our
previously developed prescription opioid taper support intervention into a telephone-delivered pain self-
management training that provides the option for supported opioid taper (PSMOT). This will be delivered in
multiple primary care clinics by a nurse interventionist trained and supervised by a pain psychologist and will
include guidance in opioid and non-opioid medication prescribing. Specific Aim 2: To test in a randomized trial
the effects of this PSMOT intervention on: a) opioid outcomes: daily opioid dose (primary outcome), percent
dose reduction from baseline, problem opioid use (interview, questionnaire, and electronic health record text
indicators), and patient-reported opioid problems; and b) pain-related outcomes: PEG (self-report of Pain
intensity, Enjoyment of life interference, General activity interference; primary outcome), pain self-efficacy, and
depression symptoms. Hypotheses pertaining to opioid use: Patients receiving LtOT for CNCP randomized to
the PSMOT intervention, as compared with those randomized to usual care, will have lower opioid doses,
greater percent reduction of opioid dose, lower proportions with problem opioid use, and lower levels of
patient-reported opioid-related problems at 6 and 12 months after randomization. Hypotheses pertaining to
pain outcomes: Patients receiving LtOT for CNCP randomized to the PSMOT intervention, as compared with
those randomized to usual care, will have lower PEG scores, higher levels of pain self-efficacy, and lower
levels of depressive symptoms at 6 and 12 months after randomization. The proposed trial will determine
whether pain self-management training can promote prescription opioid taper in highe...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9843454
- **Project number:** 5R01DA044970-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK D SULLIVAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $610,540
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-15 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9843454

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9843454, Randomized trial of telephonic pain self-management to promote opioid tapering (5R01DA044970-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9843454. Licensed CC0.

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