Looking for Ways to Manage Pain? Do You Drink Alcohol? New Virtual Study Seeks Participants!

Research Center: Boston University
Location: This study will be conducted virtually within Massachusetts
Lead Researcher: Dr. Tibor Palfai
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Boston University-Charles River Campus Institutional Review Board

About the Study

 Are you one of many individuals who have chronic pain?

Researchers at Boston University are looking at ways to help individuals manage chronic pain and associated lifestyle factors, such as drinking, through a smartphone program. If successful, this study will identify skills and resources to reduce the degree to which pain interferes in daily life and to improve overall wellness. This study also looks into better understanding how alcohol and pain are related to one another and how improvements to one may help improve the other.

Why Participate? 

  • Participants will learn about skills and resources to manage chronic pain.
  • Participants will learn about how lifestyle factors such as alcohol and stress may influence their pain.
  • Participants will become familiar with strategies to modify lifestyle factors.
  • Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit others who also experience chronic pain.
  • Participants will be compensated $150 for completing all components of the study.
  • Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

Your Rights

  • If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
  • Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
  • Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who Can Participate?

  • Men and women aged 18 and above who have a primary care physician
  • Must regularly consume alcohol or have had at least 4 drinks on one occasion in the past month
  • Must be experiencing pain for at least 3 months
  • Must be able to participate in 3 phone visits over the next 16 weeks

More Study Details 

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

  • The study uses a smartphone-based approach. Participants are in the study for 16 weeks total. All participants complete baseline assessment, a visit with a health coach, and then an 8 week and 16-week follow-up. 
    • Participants will be assigned to one of two programs. Those who try the smartphone program will use an online app for 8 weeks. Each week participants will watch a video, practice skills, and do a 15-minute chat session with a health coach. Those who don’t try the smartphone program will meet with a health coach to discuss pain management and lifestyle strategies, and review in-person and online resources for chronic pain and alcohol use
  • The study is focused in and around the greater Boston area
  • Participants may learn more about skills and resources on how to manage their chronic pain
  • Participants may increase their understanding of how various lifestyle factors such as alcohol and stress influence their chronic pain
  • Participants may become familiar with strategies to moderate these lifestyle factors 

About the Research Center:

Boston University
Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. Boston University is committed to generating new knowledge to benefit society.

Please note:

The study will be conducted remotely which means there will be no in-person visits, allowing you to participate in the comfort of your own home.

What’s Next?

  1. Click the link to enter your contact details and take the study questionnaire.
  2. If eligible, a member of the research team will contact you to discuss the study and answer any questions you may have.
Click Here to Check Your Eligibility for This Study

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