Congratulations to the 2011 Research Grant
Recipient!
Massage Impact on
Chronic Pain in Opioid Dependent Patients
Katharina Wiest,
PhD, MSPH
CODA, Inc., Portland, OR
$29,998
Chronic pain is a
common cause of health care utilization and
represents a major health concern. For
patients beginning substance use treatment,
chronic pain is more prevalent among
patients with opioid dependence relative to
patients with other dependences. Previous
scientific research has not connected
massage, chronic pain and substance use
treatment success. Although massage has been
demonstrated to alleviate chronic pain
symptoms, its use as an adjunctive therapy
to modify chronic pain during opioid
treatment is absent from the literature.
Given the strong biologic basis for the
efficacy of massage and the high level of
massage acceptance in opioid dependent
patients, this trial may provide insight
into massage’s potential as a
non-pharmacologic chronic pain treatment.
The study uses a prospective, randomized,
intent-to-treat, clinical trial to assess
the relative efficacy of Swedish massage on
chronic pain in opioid dependent adult
patients receiving methadone treatment. The
primary aim is to measure the effect of
massage on pain intensity. Eligible
participants will be randomized to either
(1) intervention arm of 8 weekly 1 hour
Swedish massage sessions + treatment as
usual (TAU) (n=25) or (2) TAU alone (n=25).
At 4 weeks after the last study visit for
both massage and TAU groups, a follow-up
assessment is conducted to assess durability
of treatment effect. Data elements
pertaining to pain and potential confounders
are collected and analyzed. Findings from
this trial should be viewed as preliminary.
Massage may offer an exciting
non-pharmacologic option as part of the
treatment arsenal for opioid dependence.
View Summaries of
all past grants awarded
1993-2010
General Information
Part of the mission of the Foundation
is to fund solid research
studies investigating the
many beneficial applications
of massage therapy.
Foundation research grants
are awarded to individuals
or teams conducting studies
that promise to advance our
understanding of specific
therapeutic applications of
massage, public perceptions
of and attitudes toward
massage therapy, and the
role of massage therapy in
health care delivery.
The Research deadline is March 1 annually. The normal award for 12 months is $1,000 -$30,000 and must be used in the specific time period for which it has been awarded. This grant supports high quality, independent research that contributes to the basic science of massage therapy application, including applied research investigating massage therapy as a health/mental health treatment and/or prevention modality. The research grant is available to investigators who have experience in the relevant field of research, and are presently associated with or have secured the cooperation of a university, independent research organization, or other institution qualified and willing to function as a Sponsoring Organization for the purpose of this project.
|
