Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine >> Research >> Focus Areas >> Pain Medicine & Neuroscience >> Pt. Perceptions of the Benefits of LT Opioid Therapy (PLOT)...
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Research Focus Areas:
Pain Medicine & Neuroscience

Patient Perceptions of the Benefits of Long-Term Opioid Therapy (PLOT) Initiative-Beliefs and Behaviors

Principal Investigators

D. C. Turk, Ph.D., J. P. Robinson., M.D., R. Landau, M.D.

Description

The use of long-term opioid therapy (LOT) for patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNP) is fraught with controversy. In addition to the societal concerns regarding abuse potential and threats of aberrant behaviors, morbidity, and mortality associated with opioids, observers of patients with CNP are repeatedly confronted by a vexing question: Why do so many of the patients place such high value on opioids? This question has long challenged clinicians, especially when they interact with patients who insist on continuing use of opioids, even when the clinicians cannot detect much evidence that the patients are benefitting from the medications. More recently, researchers have added to the conundrum, as most well-controlled studies on opioids for CNP have found that the medications are only modestly effective in reducing pain, and have limited if any benefits on physical and emotional functioning. Results of randomized control trials on the use of LOT suggest that 60%-76% of patients treated will achieve a reduction in pain, with an average reduction, however, of only 35%.1,2 Additionally, patients in these trials report significant side effects and frequently drop out of the trials prematurely. Moreover, during long-term, open label extensions for patients who have achieved a significant reduction of pain with tolerable side effects, approximately 40% of patients choose to terminate treatment.

Pain Medicine & Neuroscience:
Research Projects

An Internet CBT Intervention for Pediatric Chronic Pain and Disability
T. Palermo, Ph.D.
Cervical Sympathetic Block in Patients with Cerebral Vasospasm following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemmorhage
M. DePinto, M.D., M.M. Treggiari, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
Controlling Pain After Trauma
D. Patterson, Ph.D., S. R. Sharar, M.D., M. Jensen, Ph.D., H. Hoffman, Ph.D., et al.
Cytokine and Neurotransmitter Interactions in Sleep Regulation
M. R. Opp, Ph.D., L. Imeri, M.D.
Disability from Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
P Rivara, M.D., M. S. Vavilala, M.D.
Drug Interactions at the Human Blood-Brain Barrier
J. D. Unadkat, Ph.D., K. B. Domino, M.D., M.P.H., A. Collier, M.D., et al.
Effectiveness of Oxymorphone for Acute Postoperative Pain Pediatric Subjects
S.Bhananker, M.D.
Identifying Virtual Reality Analgesia Mechanisms by Pharmacologic Manipulation
S. R. Sharar, M. D., D.A. Patterson, Ph.D, H.Hunter, Ph.D., et al.
Influence of Dexmedetomidine on the Evoked Potentials During Spine Surgery
Rozet, M.D.
Innovations In Pediatric Pain Research
T. Palermo, Ph.D.
Ketorolac in Surgical Infants: Pharmacokinetics/Analgesia
A.M. Lynn, M.D.
Mechanism Of Action Of Volatile Anesthetics
P.G. Morgan, M.D.
Memantine for Post-Operative Pain Control in the Opiate-Tolerant Patient
G. Terman, M.D., Ph.D.
Modulation of Pruritus by Spinal Cannabinoids
G. W. Terman, M.D.,Ph.D.
Molecular Mechanisms of Sleep Responses to Viral Infection
James Krueger, PhD (WSU: PI); Mark R. Opp, PhD (co-investigator/subcontract PI)
Neonatal Pain, Depression and Pain Susceptibility at Maturity in Rats
Gayle Page, DNSc, RN (Johns Hopkins: PI); Mark R. Opp, PhD (co-investigator/subcontract PI)
Neurologic Injury after Non-Supine Surgery Registry
L. A. Lee, M.D., L. Stephens, Ph.D., K. B. Domino, M.D., M.P.H., K. L. Posner, Ph.D.
Neuron-glial communication and brain aging
Paula Bickford, PhD (University of South Florida: PI); Carmelina Gemma, PhD (co-investigator/subcontract PI)
Neuronal-Glial Dialogue and Cognition
Carmelina Gemma, PhD (PI)
Neurotoxic Effects of Volatile Anesthetics in C. Elegans
P.G. Morgan, M.D.
Open Label Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Conivaptan (Vaprisol) to raise serum sodium levels in patients with severe traumatic brain injury
M. M. Treggiari, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., S. A. Deem, M.D., N.D. Yanez III, Ph.D.
Optimizing the Control of Pain from Severe Burns
D. Patterson, Ph.D.; S R. Sharar, MD; D. Heimbach, MD., J Doctor, Ph.D.
Patient Perceptions of the Benefits of Long-Term Opioid Therapy (PLOT) Initiative-Beliefs and Behaviors
D. C. Turk, Ph.D., J. P. Robinson., M.D., R. Landau, M.D.
Sepsis Outcomes and Aging: Role of Sleep Disruption and the Blood Brain Barrier
Mark R. Opp, PhD (PI); William A. Banks, MD (co-investigator); Richard M. Raymond, PhD (co-investigator)
Shared Decision Making in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery to Improve Patient Safety
K. B. Domino,M.D, M.P.H.; K. L. Posner, Ph.D. et al.
Sleep-Wake Disturbances in Adolescents with Chronic Pain Research
T. Palermo, Ph.D.
Subgroups of FMS: Symptoms, Beliefs & Tailored Treatments
D.C. Turk, Ph.D., J. Robinson, M.D., Ph.D.
Subjective and Neuroimaging Assessment of Combined Opioid and Virtual Reality Analgesia
S. R. Sharar, M.D., T. Richards, Ph.D.
Ultrasound Guided Rectus Sheath Block for Post-Operative Pain Control Following Umbilical Hernia Repair
S. Flack, M.D.
University of Washington Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes Discovery Center
D. S. Buchwald, M.D., N. Jimenez, M. D., et al.
Web-based CBT for Opioid-treated Chronic Pain Patients With Aberrant Behavior
Rosenblum, Ph.D., D.C. Turk, Ph.D.