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Center for Innovation in Pain Care Awarded NIDA Funding for Telemedicine Study to Reduce Opioid Use

Drs. Jacques Chelly, Murat Kaynar, Senthil Sadhasivam, Ajay Wasan, and Sylivia Lin
Drs. Jacques Chelly, Murat Kaynar, Senthil Sadhasivam, Ajay Wasan, and Sylivia Lin

Our Center for Innovation in Pain Care has received a National Institutes of Health R21 research award, enabling more substantial advancements in pain management and postoperative care.

The grant, which comes from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), will support the study “Telemedicine-Delivered Digital Cognitive Behavioral Intervention to Decrease Postoperative Opioid Use Among Patients Undergoing Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty.” Led by principal investigators Jacques E. Chelly, MD, PhD, MBA, and Murat Kaynar, MD, MPH, and supported by an outstanding team including Senthil Sadhasivam, MD, MPH, MBA, FASA; Ajay D. Wasan, MD, MSc; and Sylvia Lin, MS, PhD, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine-delivered digital Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (dCBI) in reducing postoperative pain and opioid use in patients undergoing knee and hip arthroplasty. 

The study’s goal is to demonstrate that the use of preoperative dCBI can significantly reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption and reduce the risk of prolonged opioid use and the development of chronic post-surgical pain. Furthermore, the research team will assess the impact of dCBI on preoperative mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, maintaining these improvements postoperatively. By leveraging telemedicine, this study may provide scalable and accessible solutions for controlling the negative role of mood disorders on postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Preliminary data showed that dCBI can reduce preoperative anxiety and suggested a trend towards a postoperative reduction in pain and opioid use.

This study underscores the Center for Innovation in Pain Care's commitment to pioneering research that improves patient outcomes and addresses critical public health challenges. Findings from the study are expected to provide valuable insights into innovative approaches for managing postoperative pain and complications, ultimately enhancing recovery and quality of care for surgical patients.