BIOR feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study of a Behavioural Intervention for Opioid Reduction (BIOR) for chronic non-cancer pain patients in primary care.
IRAS ID
306772
Contact name
Helen Poole
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN30201337
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
Patients with chronic non- cancer pain (CNCP) are frequently treated with opioids for pain relief. However, when taking high doses for long periods of time, patients may experience toxic side-effects and often no significant reduction in pain and improvement of quality of life. The prescription of opioids for CNCP has increased significantly during recent years, with higher doses and stronger opioids being prescribed, increasing risk of harm to patients. Recommendations from NICE and the Royal College of Anaesthetists state opioids are not advisable for CNCP and recommend their safe reduction or discontinuation, highlighting that patients need support during the process of reduction (NICE, 2021; Faculty of Pain of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, 2021). Despite the importance of this topic, guidance on how to support patients to reduce/taper opioids is lacking. This study aims to assess a Behavioural Intervention for Opioid Reduction (BIOR) designed to support patients with CNCP reducing opioids in primary care. This knowledge can assist health care providers to develop further behavioural interventions to support these patients in improving their quality of life. This is a multi-centre brief behavioural intervention delivered by health professionals using psychological techniques and interviews and questionnaires. Eligible patients will be over 18 years old, diagnosed with CNCP and currently talking higher doses of opioids (>120 daily MED). The study will last approximately 20 months and patients will be randomised to psychological support or no support during their tapering. Furthermore we aim to assess feasibility of the intervention by conducting interviews with patients and health professionals delivering the intervention to understand their views and expectations of the interventions.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0047
Date of REC Opinion
7 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion