Improving Treatment of
Pain and Addiction
Assessing the Transition from Acute to Chronic Cancer Pain (AtTACC Pain) Study
Dr. Hailey Bulls is leading this cross-sectional, experimental study funded by a University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Pain Research Challenge Award. The AtTACC Pain study aims to improve identification of patients at high risk for cancer-related pain and develop biopsychosocial phenotypes underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain in survivors … Read more
Consensus-Based Algorithms to Address Opioid Misuse Behaviors Among Individuals Prescribed Long-Term Opioid Therapy: Developing Implementation Strategies and Pilot Testing
This pilot trial is aimed at improving treatments for opioid misuse behaviors in patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain. In previous work, Dr. Merlin and her team developed innovative consensus-based algorithms to manage these behaviors. In this project, will develop implementation strategies and operationalize algorithms that address opioid misuse behaviors among individuals receiving … Read more
Continuous Real-World Sensing of Physical Function in Older Cancer Survivors
The goal of Dr. Low’s research is to examine the association between continuous mobile sensor data features and commonly used measures of physical function in cancer survivors aged 65 and older. (Funding Source: The Pittsburgh Pepper Center)
Development and Piloting of an Intervention to Reduce the Impact of Opioid Stigma in Cancer Pain (K08)
Building on Dr. Hailey Bulls’ previous work, this project will develop and test a novel behavioral intervention for opioid stigma. After interviewing a cohort of patients with advanced, painful cancer, Dr. Bulls will develop a theory-based intervention to reduce negative impacts of opioid stigma in similar patients. Once developed, the intervention will be tested in … Read more
Development and Piloting of an Intervention to Reduce the Impact of Opioid Stigma in Cancer Pain (KL2)
As part of her KL2 award from the University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and with pilot funding from the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Dr. Hailey Bulls completed patient and caregiver interviews to better understand cancer patient experience with opioid stigma. Dr. Bulls has used these data to develop a behavioral intervention … Read more
Development of a Cancer Pain Phenotype using Proteomics
This study is an extension of Dr. Bull’s other ongoing research (Assessing the Transition from Acute to Chronic Cancer Pain (AtTACC Pain) Study) by adding proteomics analyses to the AtTACC pain cohort, which will enhance the understanding of the biological underpinnings in the transition from acute to chronic cancer pain. (Funding Source: the University of … Read more
Evaluation of the Efficacy and Mechanism of a Novel Intervention for Chronic Pain Tailored to People Living with HIV
In this two-arm randomized control trial, Dr. Merlin and her team examine the feasibility and preliminary impact of “Skills TO Manage Pain” (STOMP), a novel behavioral intervention tailored to PLWH to improve pain and function with routine care. Recruitment began in August 2019 and is planned to end in August 2022. (Funding Source: NIH/NIMH Grant … Read more
Exploring Biological Pathways Associated with Symptoms and Adherence to Oral Anticancer Medications among Patients with Multiple Myeloma
This pilot study will expand upon the existing infrastructure of Dr. Belcher’s career development award (K23NR019296) to explore biological pathways associated with symptoms and adherence to oral anticancer medications among patients with multiple myeloma. (Funding: Center for Research and Evaluation Pilot/Feasibility Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing.)
Formative Work to Address Intersecting Prescription Opioid and Chronic Pain Stigma in Cancer Survivors (Supplement to NIH HEAL Initiative)
Dr. Hailey Bulls was appointed Co-Investigator for this qualitative study that focuses on addressing two stigmatizing public health problems experienced by cancer survivors: chronic pain and prescription opioid use. The study conducted interviews with cancer survivors, caregivers, and clinicians to identify the contributors and consequences of prescription opioid and chronic pain stigma. (Funding Source: NIH/NIDA … Read more
Opioid Therapy for Pain in Individuals with Metastatic Cancer: Benefits, Harms and Stakeholder Perspectives
The long-term goal of this program of research is to develop interventions that inform opioid-related decision-making for patients with metastatic cancer. Dr. Merlin and her team will use the Behavioral Decision Research framework to create a comprehensive evidence base on which these interventions can be grounded. From here, they will devise and test novel interventions to … Read more