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Can retraining the brain replace the pill? a big trial tests two non-drug paths to pain relief.

NCT ID NCT03445988

Disease control Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Sep 01, 2026 · Last updated Sep 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial compares two behavioral programs for people with chronic pain who take prescription opioids. One is cognitive behavioral therapy led by a psychologist, and the other is a peer-led self-management course. Researchers want to see if either approach helps people lower their opioid dose while keeping pain under control, compared with just tapering opioids on their own.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (pain-CBT) and a peer-led Chronic Pain Self-Management Program, compared with no behavioral treatment, all within the context of opioid tapering.
What this could lead to
If it works, this could give patients and doctors a clear, evidence-based way to lower opioid doses without losing pain control, pointing toward safer long-term pain management.
What could go wrong
The trial is large but still early, and results may not apply to everyone. Behavioral therapies require time and effort, and some participants may not benefit or may find it hard to stick with the program.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

1,462 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jul 2018

Finished

Nov 2023

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 85 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Chronic pain

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Stanford University

    Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States

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