The study was done to determine the feasibility of an integrated psychosocial treatment in Veterans with chronic pain, who also have evidence of hazardous opioid use. To examine this aim, a random design was used to assess the feasibility and initial efficacy of integrating 2 empirically supported interventions. Half participants were randomized to the integrated treatment group and all participants received usual care through a Veteran’s Administration co-occurring disorders medical clinic to treat chronic pain and opioid misuse.37 total participants were randomized and included in intent-to-treat analyses and 32 individuals were included in per-protocol analyses with a half-year follow-up serving as the primary study endpoint. Feasibility indicators included recruitment, retention, and treatment completion rates. Recruitment fell short of targeted enrollment, although retention and completion were excellent. Primary outcome measures were opioid misuse, pain interference, and pain behavior. Simultaneous multiple regression analyses controlled for pain duration, baseline opioid dose, and baseline value for outcome measures. Results of both the intent-to-treat and per-protocol indicated a significant effect in favor of the integrated intervention for opioid misuse, pain interference, and pain behavior. Results support the feasibility of providing integrated treatment for both opioid risk and pain interference.

Reference: https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(19)30866-1/fulltext

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