October 6, 2020: Four PRISM NIH Collaboratory Trials Awarded Continuation From Planning to Implementation Phase

The NIH Collaboratory is pleased to announce that the four PRISM NIH Collaboratory Trials received approval to transition from the planning phase to the implementation phase of their studies. These embedded PCTs (ePCTs) are directly addressing the U.S. opioid crisis and exploring fundamental questions of pain management using nonpharmacologic treatments.

Congratulations to the PIs and study teams for their excellent work!


BackInAction: Pragmatic Trial of Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults

Karen Sherman, PhD, MPH
Photo of Lynn DeBar, principal investigator of PPACT
Lynn DeBar, PhD, MPH

BackInAction is conducting a three-arm pragmatic trial of older adults who have chronic low back pain to evaluate acupuncture versus usual care. The study will compare a standard 12-week course of acupuncture, an enhanced course of acupuncture (12-week standard course, plus 12-week maintenance course), and usual care to assess back-related function at 26 weeks.

 

 

 

 


FM TIPS: Fibromyalgia TENS in Physical Therapy Study

Kathleen Sluka, PT, PhD
Leslie Crofford, MD

The aim of FM TIPS is to demonstrate the feasibility of adding transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia in a real-world physical therapy setting, and to determine if adding TENS to physical therapy reduces pain, increases adherence to physical therapy, and allows patients with fibromyalgia to reach their specific functional goals with less medication use.

 

 

 


NOHARM: Nonpharmacologic Options in Postoperative Hospital-based and Rehabilitation Pain Management

Photo of Andrea Cheville, co–principal investigator of NOHARM
Andrea Cheville, MD
Jon Tilburt, MD

NOHARM is a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial that is testing a sustainable system-wide strategy for perioperative pain management using nonpharmacologic options in a manner that preserves patient function, honors patient values, and maintains availability of opioids as a last resort.

 

 

 

 


OPTIMUM: Group-based Mindfulness for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in the Primary Care Setting

Natalia Morone, MD

OPTIMUM aims to evaluate the impact of an innovative, group-based mindfulness program for patients with chronic low back pain in a real-life clinical setting. Mindfulness is effective for the treatment of chronic low back pain, yet remains underutilized as it has not been regularly woven into the outpatient clinical setting.

 

 

 

 


The PRISM program (Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing) is a component of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative. The NIH Collaboratory serves as the PRISM Resource Coordinating Center and is supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Support is also provided by the NIH Common Fund through a cooperative agreement from the Office of Strategic Coordination within the Office of the NIH Director.