EMPOWER: Randomized Trial of Online Chronic Pain Management Program to Reduce Reliance on Opioid Analgesic Medications

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: This is a 10-month internet-based randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether an online chronic pain management program ("E-Health") can assist with reduced opioid reliance in chronic pain patients. About half of the eligible participants will receive access to the E-Health program in addition to their standard chronic pain treatment; the other half will just continue receiving their standard chronic pain treatment.

Detailed Description: This study will determine whether an innovative, accessible E-health intervention can assist with reduced opioid reliance in chronic pain patients, which can, ultimately, reduce risks of unintended opioid overdose and death. Importantly, the study will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms contributing to opioid use reduction while managing pain. The findings may assist in developing treatment options for a population at risk for opioid adverse effects.

Potential participants will be identified through electronic health record (EHR) queries at participating sites. Participants will be assessed at baseline, at the end of the 4-month treatment period, and at 6 months following end-of-treatment through an electronic data capture system accessed by the participants. Other outcome data will be obtained from the participant's EHR data.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Be 25-80 years of age
Be able to understand the study, and having understood, provide informed consent in English
Have a daily average prescribed MED ≥ 20 mg over a recent three-month period
Have a chronic pain-related diagnosis
Self-report current use of opioid medication(s) to treat pain
Have a Brief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity score ≥3
Have internet access and a working email account

Exclusion Criteria

Be anyone who, in the judgment of study staff, would be unlikely to complete the study (e.g., planning to change to a different primary care clinic, have a terminal illness, etc.)
Be unwilling/unable to complete the WebNeuro assessments
Be pregnant
Be a prisoner

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
E-Health+	E-health program	Participants randomized to the E-health+ arm will receive treatment as typically provided by their clinician plus a 4-month subscription to the E-health program, which is an internet based chronic pain program.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Decrease in Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED)	Baseline and 10 months	Whether (yes/no) there was a ≥15% decrease in MED, between baseline and 10-month post-randomization follow-up.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain Intensity	Baseline and 10 months	Whether (yes/no) there is a clinically meaningful decrease in pain intensity (at least 2 points) as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), between baseline and 10-month post-randomization follow-up.