6/28/23, 11:31 PM I-WOTCH Pathway Feedback Search Clinical Topics Home Studies I WOTCH I WOTCH Disease Opioids for pain Trial question What is the role of group-based educational intervention in patients taking strong opioids for chronic nonnmalignant pain? Study design Multi-center Open label RCT Population Characteristics of study participants 60.0% female N = 608 40.0% male 608 patients (362 female, 242 male) Inclusion criteria: adults taking strong opioids to treat chronic nonmalignant pain Key exclusion criteria: people living in chronic care facilities; unable to leave home without assistance; use of methadone not prescribed for chronic pain Interventions N=305 education and support (3-day-long group sessions on skill-based learning and education and 1-on-1 support for 12 months plus usual care) N=303 usual care (self-help booklet on pain, opioids, and opioid tapering plus a relaxation CD) Primary outcome Opioid discontinuation at 12 months 29.0 % 29 https://web.pathway.md/studies/rec3AJ1fDHRCwgOhO 1/2 6/28/23, 11:31 PM I-WOTCH Pathway 21.8 % 14.5 % Significant increase 7.3 % 7 NNH = 5 0.0 % Education and support Usual care Significant increase in opioid discontinuation at 12 months (29% vs. 7%; OR 5.55, 95% CI 2.8 to 10.99) Secondary outcomes No significant difference in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference Short Form 8a score at 12 months (-4.1 vs. -3.17; MD -0.52, 95% CI -1.94 to 0.89) Significant increase in opioid discontinuation at 4 months (26% vs. 3%; OR 11.61, 95% CI 5.06 to 26.63) Significant increase in the percentage of patients achieving a 50% reduction in Morphine Equivalent Dose at 12 months (57% vs. 27%; OR 3.76, 95% CI 2.47 to 5.71) Safety outcomes No significant difference in serious adverse events. Conclusion In adults taking strong opioids to treat chronic nonmalignant pain, education and support were superior to usual care with respect to opioid discontinuation at 12 months. Reference Harbinder K Sandhu, Katie Booth, Andrea D Furlan et al. Reducing Opioid Use for Chronic Pain With a Group-Based Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2023 May 23;329(20):1745-1756. Open reference URL https://web.pathway.md/studies/rec3AJ1fDHRCwgOhO 2/2