Actively Recruiting
Developing and Testing an Opioid Taper Intervention Before Total Knee Arthroplasty: Phase 2 Intervention Development
Led by University of Alabama at Birmingham · Updated on 2026-05-29
45
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
39 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to develop and evaluate a pharmacist-led opioid taper intervention for adults with chronic opioid use who are preparing for total knee or hip replacement surgery. It seeks to determine if the intervention is feasible and acceptable to patients and whether it can reduce opioid dose before surgery. The study is led by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and focuses on patients with arthritis-related chronic pain undergoing joint replacement. Participants will work with a clinical pharmacist who will provide education about pain and opioid use and suggest a tapering plan to reduce opioid intake by about 50% over a 4 to 6 week period before surgery. The pharmacist will follow up weekly by phone to support progress and adjust the taper schedule as needed during this preoperative phase. During the study, participants' acceptability of the intervention and recruitment and retention rates will be monitored from enrollment until roughly two weeks after surgery. Researchers will also assess taper effectiveness and perioperative pain levels. The total participation involves the preoperative period and a short postoperative follow-up to evaluate outcomes related to opioid use and pain management.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Developing an Opioid Taper Intervention Before Total Joint Arthroplasty
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Decided to pursue primary, unilateral total knee or hip arthroplasty with planned surgery date in 4-8 weeks
- Currently taking between 20 and 90 MME of oral opioids, with a stable dose for at least 3 months
- Have a reliable telephone number for contact
- Speaks English
You will not qualify if you...
- Taking opioid medications that include buprenorphine
- Taking methadone
- Taking long-acting formulations of opioid pain medications (e.g., extended-release oxycodone and extended-release morphine)
- Taking transdermal formulations of opioid pain medications (e.g., fentanyl patches)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 to 6 weeks
Participants attempt to taper their opioid dose by about 50% during the 4 to 6 week preoperative period. They meet with a clinical pharmacist who provides education on pain and opioids and proposes a taper schedule. The pharmacist follows up weekly by phone to assess progress and adjust the taper as needed.
Weekly phone follow-up visits until surgery
Duration - Approximately 2 weeks after surgery
Participants are monitored for acceptability, retention, recruitment, taper efficacy, and perioperative pain from enrollment until approximately 2 weeks after surgery.
Follow-up visits as scheduled after surgery
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UAB Hospital-Highlands
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35205
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kevin R Riggs, MD
S
Shakristal Williams
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
1
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