Chronic Pain and Insomnia Research Study
Researchers at The University of South Florida are studying how to improve sleep and reduce opioid use in individuals with chronic pain.
Fast Facts
Ages 18+
Experiencing chronic pain and insomnia
Desire to reduce prescribed opioid medication use
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Tampa Bay Area (FL)
Study Background
Researchers at The University of South Florida are studying how to improve sleep and reduce opioid use in individuals with chronic pain.
People with chronic pain often have poor sleep, reduced alertness, and heightened brain responses to pain, which can make stopping opioids more difficult. While better sleep habits don’t directly lower opioid use, they improve sleep, alertness, brain function, and pain—factors that may support gradual opioid reduction.
PI: Dr. Christina McCrae I Study ID: #5883
Study Background
Researchers at The University of South Florida are studying how to improve sleep and reduce opioid use in individuals with chronic pain.
People with chronic pain often have poor sleep, reduced alertness, and heightened brain responses to pain, which can make stopping opioids more difficult. While better sleep habits don’t directly lower opioid use, they improve sleep, alertness, brain function, and pain—factors that may support gradual opioid reduction.
PI: Dr. Christina McCrae I Study ID: #5883
Additional Information
The purpose of this study is to improve sleep and reduce the use of opioids in individuals with chronic pain.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18+ years old
- Chronic pain
- Chronic insomnia
- Prescribed opioid medication for 1 or more months, 3 or more times per week
- Desire to reduce or stop opioid use
- Stabilized on medications for 6 weeks or more
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Cognitve impairment
- Sleep disorder other than insomnia
- Certain physiological and psychological disorders
- Any limitations that would prevent you from safely undergoing an MRI scan, such as having non-removable metal objects in your body above your shoulder (braces, non-removable piercing, etc.)
- Participation in other non-pharmacological treatment for pain, sleep, or mood outside current trial
This study is broken into 6 phases, involving assessments, treatment, tapering periods, and follow-ups. Please see the outline below for each phase:
- Baseline phase (MRI, urinalysis, baseline questionnaires and assessments): treatment eligibility and randomization (Earn $150 and receive a travel voucher after completion of this phase)
- Sleep treatment phase (8 weeks of a sleep treatment including weekly 1-hour sessions with an interventionist)
- Post-treatment (2-week administer questionnaires, assessments, and procedures from baseline) (Earn $150 and receive a travel voucher after completion of this phase)
- Tapered withdrawal phase (12-16 weeks of individualized tapering periods including bi-weekly 30-minute sessions with an interventionist)
- Post-withdrawal phase (2-week administer questionnaires, assessments, and procedures from baseline) (Earn $150 and receive a travel voucher after completion of this phase)
- Booster calls (30-minute remote check-ins with the interventionist)
- 6-month follow-up post-treatment phase (2-week administer questionnaires, assessments, and procedures from baseline) (Earn $150 and receive a travel voucher after completion of this phase)
Compensation is provided up to $600 for your participation.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
For further information, you can e-mail the study team at CON-mccraelab@usf.edu