~0 spots leftby May 2025

Art Therapy for Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
JS
Overseen byJenny Seham, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center
Must be taking: OUD medications
Disqualifiers: Non-English/Spanish speakers, others
No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary purpose of this study is to assess the acceptability of self-directed art making for people with chronic pain and OUD/opioid misuse, or to state it another way, whether people with chronic pain and OUD/opioid misuse will realistically do this artistic practice on their own. A secondary question of this study is to explore whether doing this art practice can help minimize pain during the artistic process, lessen depression and anxiety, and improve feelings of social connection.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your current treatment, especially since the study focuses on art therapy rather than medication changes.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Self-Driven Repetitive Artmaking, Art Therapy, Self-Directed Art Making, Repetitive Artmaking Practice for chronic pain and opioid use disorder?

The research suggests that arts-based interventions, like music, can help reduce pain and the need for pain medication, and improve readiness for substance use disorder treatment. Although specific studies on art therapy for chronic pain and opioid use disorder are limited, the positive effects of similar arts-based strategies indicate potential benefits.12345

Is art therapy safe for managing chronic pain and opioid use disorder?

The available evidence suggests that arts-based interventions, like music, are generally safe and may help reduce pain and improve motivation for treatment in people with substance use disorders. However, there is limited research specifically on art forms other than music, so more studies are needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness.13678

How is the treatment Self-Driven Repetitive Artmaking different from other treatments for chronic pain and opioid use disorder?

Self-Driven Repetitive Artmaking is unique because it uses art as a therapeutic tool, allowing individuals to engage in creative expression to manage pain and reduce opioid use, unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medications or structured psychological therapies.13469

Research Team

JS

Jenny Seham, PhD

Principal Investigator

Montefiore Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with chronic pain and opioid use disorder or opioid misuse. It's designed to see if they will engage in self-driven artmaking on their own as a potential therapeutic activity.

Inclusion Criteria

Have received medication for OUD in the past 30 days or meet criteria for opioid misuse
I am fluent in English or Spanish.
I am 18 years old or older.
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am not fluent in English or Spanish.
I cannot attend the workshop due to language or other non-physical barriers.
Do not otherwise meet the inclusion criteria for age, OUD, Opioid misuse, and chronic pain.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

In-Person Workshop

Participants attend a two-hour in-person workshop led by an Art Therapist to gather patient characteristic data and orient them to the use of art kits.

2 hours
1 visit (in-person)

At-Home Artmaking

Participants use art kits at home up to four times over four months, completing pre- and post-surveys to assess pain, mood, and social connectivity.

4 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the artmaking intervention, including qualitative feedback sessions.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Self-Driven Repetitive Artmaking (Behavioral Intervention)
Trial OverviewThe study tests the acceptability of self-directed repetitive artmaking practice. It aims to determine if this creative process can reduce pain, alleviate depression and anxiety, and enhance social connectedness among participants.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Art MakingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Each patient will receive artmaking kits

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Montefiore Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
468
Recruited
599,000+
Andrew D. Racine profile image

Andrew D. Racine

Montefiore Medical Center

Chief Medical Officer since 1992

MD, PhD from New York University; Undergraduate degree from Harvard University

Philip O. Ozuah profile image

Philip O. Ozuah

Montefiore Medical Center

Chief Executive Officer since 2019

MD, PhD from New York University

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials
2,658
Recruited
3,409,000+
Dr. Nora Volkow profile image

Dr. Nora Volkow

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Chief Executive Officer since 2003

MD from National Autonomous University of Mexico

Dr. Nora Volkow profile image

Dr. Nora Volkow

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Chief Medical Officer since 2003

MD from National Autonomous University of Mexico

Findings from Research

Chronic pain is reported by 33.4% of individuals entering opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment programs, but 66% of those with chronic pain do not have their pain managed within these programs, leading to worsening pain for 47% of them.
The lack of effective pain management in OUD treatment is linked to a higher risk of opioid relapse, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary care and evidence-based policies to improve pain management and treatment outcomes for OUD patients.
Assessment of Chronic Pain Management in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Gaps in Care and Implications for Treatment Outcomes.Ellis, MS., Kasper, Z., Cicero, T.[2021]
Individuals with a history of opioid misuse experience higher levels of hyperalgesia, which may be linked to changes in psychophysiological pathways, complicating their pain management.
There is a need for more research into the psychophysiological biomarkers of patients with both chronic pain and opioid use disorder to improve treatment strategies and outcomes for this challenging group.
Psychophysiology of pain and opioid use: implications for managing pain in patients with an opioid use disorder.Wachholtz, A., Foster, S., Cheatle, M.[2018]
Patients with chronic pain and substance use disorders face unique challenges that traditional treatment programs often fail to address, leading to inadequate care and poor outcomes.
A new integrated treatment approach is needed, focusing on a comprehensive evaluation of each patient's specific issues, which can help design effective therapies that address both chronic pain and addiction simultaneously.
Optimizing treatment with opioids and beyond.Clark, MR., Treisman, GJ.[2019]

References

An Integrative Review of Arts-Based Strategies for Addressing Pain and Substance Use Disorder During the Opioid Crisis. [2021]
Assessment of Chronic Pain Management in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Gaps in Care and Implications for Treatment Outcomes. [2021]
Rationale and design of a multisite randomized clinical trial examining an integrated behavioral treatment for veterans with co-occurring chronic pain and opioid use disorder: The pain and opioids integrated treatment in veterans (POSITIVE) trial. [2023]
Psychophysiology of pain and opioid use: implications for managing pain in patients with an opioid use disorder. [2018]
Optimizing treatment with opioids and beyond. [2019]
Unilateral transcranial photobiomodulation for opioid addiction in a clinical practice: A clinical overview and case series. [2021]
[Pain therapy in addicted patients]. [2018]
Simulated opioid choice linked to opioid use disorder severity among veterans with chronic pain: initial validation of a novel paradigm. [2023]
Systematic review on the clinical management of chronic pain and comorbid opioid use disorder. [2023]