New study aims to help cancer survivors ditch opioids for good

NCT ID NCT06574009

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests four different approaches—behavioral therapy, physical therapy, medication changes, and buprenorphine rotation—to help cancer survivors reduce their opioid use while keeping pain under control. It involves 294 veterans who have finished cancer treatment but still struggle with chronic pain. The goal is to find which strategy works best to lower opioid doses without making pain worse.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Multimodal pain care (behavioral therapy, physical therapy, assistive devices, complementary therapies) and medication optimization (non-opioid drugs, buprenorphine rotation)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide a proven, safer way for cancer survivors to manage chronic pain without relying on opioids, reducing addiction and overdose risks.
What could go wrong: This is a Phase 4 trial, but it only includes veterans with certain cancers and no active disease, so results may not apply to all cancer survivors. The interventions may not work for everyone, and some may still need opioids.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome neoplasm opiate dependence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CANCER SURVIVOR CHRONIC PAIN OPIOID DEPENDENCE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202-2884, United States
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
RECRUITING

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105, United States

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