Education and Training

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Chronic Pain Self-Management Within the Context of Opioid Reduction: The EMPOWER Study

The proposed study will fill several critical gaps in evidence that are preventing patients and physicians from making informed decisions about their pain care. This project will provide patients taking opioids and physicians with the specific evidence they need to choose the most effective route to pain control, reduced pain interference, opioid reduction, and improved role function, thereby improving patient care.

The aims of this study are to (1) reduce or contain prescription opioid use while maintaining pain control and (2) compare the effectiveness of the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for chronic pain (pain-CBT), and no behavioral treatment within the context of patient-centered collaborative opioid tapering (Taper Only).

The acronym EMPOWER stands for Effective Management of Pain and Opioid-Free Ways to Enhance Relief.

To learn more about the EMPOWER study, please visit: empower.stanford.edu.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

Stanford Investigator(s):

Intervention(s):

  • behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • behavioral: Chronic Pain Self Management Program
  • other: Usual Care

Eligibility


Inclusion Criteria:

   - Chronic non-cancer pain (≥ 6 months in duration)

   - Currently receiving prescription opioids (≥ 10 MEDD) for ≥ 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

   - Unable to provide informed consent

   - Unable to participate in group treatments in a meaningful way (e.g., evident cognitive
   impairment or lack of English fluency)

   - Moderate to severe opioid use disorder

To learn more about our recruitment, please visit: empower.stanford.edu.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years - 85 Years

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Not currently accepting new patients for this trial

Contact Information

Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Beth Darnall, Ph.D.
Not Recruiting