Developing and Pilot Testing an Opioid Tapering Protocol (TapPro)
Chronic Pain, Opioid Use, Analgesia
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Chronic Pain focused on measuring opioid, tapering, chronic pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- age ≥ 18
- chronic prescription opioid use (>3 monthly prescriptions from the clinic within prior 6 months)
- morphine milligram equivalents (MME) ≥50
- poorly controlled pain (PEG pain score ≥ 5/10)
- providers considering opioid taper but no reductions in opioid dose over the past 6 months.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Active cancer or other serious progressive illness, by medical review and by self-report
- Moderate or severe opioid use disorder, as per DSM-V
- Inability to give informed consent
- Active suicidal ideation.
Sites / Locations
- Montefiore Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
TapPro
Usual Care
Biweekly telephone and in-person visits with a clinician over three months. At each visit, a protocol adapted from the Prescription Opioid Taper Study will be provided to participants, who will learn about pain coping, distraction techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, sleep techniques, and progressive muscle relaxation techniques. All are specifically designed for patients with chronic pain on chronic opioid therapy. During visits, taper parameters will be discussed and the provider will work through a dose reduction schedule, if participants are in agreement. Additionally, urine drug screens will be obtained.
Participants randomized to the usual care arm will continue seeing their primary care providers as indicated.