Can changing how you think about pain reduce opioid cravings?
NCT ID NCT04097743
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether people with chronic pain who tend to catastrophize (imagine the worst) about their pain experience stronger cravings for prescription opioids. Researchers measured cravings, stress hormones, and mood in 93 adults who had been taking opioids for at least three months. The goal was to see if targeting catastrophizing with psychological therapy could help reduce opioid cravings and improve pain management.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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93 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2021
- Finished
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Dec 2024
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years * Chronic pain ( \> 3months) * Prescription opioid use (\>3 months) Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of cancer * Concurrent psychological therapy * Other severe psychiatric conditions (schizophrenia, delusional disorder, psychotic disorder, dissociative disorder, and active suicidality) * Any skin conditions on the hand (pain testing site) * Non-English speaker * No access to email or smart phone
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stanford Pain Relief Innovations Lab
Palo Alto, California, 27604, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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