Effectiveness of motivational interviewing plus cognitive behavioral therapy versus shared decision making for voluntary opioid tapering in patients with chronic pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of motivational interviewing plus cognitive behavioral therapy versus shared decision making on change in daily dosage of prescribed opioids for individuals with chronic non-cancer pain.

DESIGN: Pragmatic randomized trial.

SETTING: Three health systems in the southeastern United States.

SUBJECTS: Adults (N = 525) prescribed opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain.

METHODS: Participants were randomized to Arm 1 (a motivational interviewing visit plus eight group sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy) or Arm 2 (shared decision making medical visits). The primary outcome was change in average daily opioid dosage from baseline to 12 months using prescribing data from health records. Secondary outcomes were self-reported pain interference and physical function.

RESULTS: Both arms experienced small decreases in dosage at 12 months from baseline: Arm 1 -12 milligram morphine equivalents (95% confidence interval: -19 to -4); Arm 2 -6 milligram morphine equivalents (95% confidence interval: -14 to 2). The mean difference between arms for change in dosage, at -6 milligram morphine equivalents (95% confidence interval: -17 to 5), was neither statistically significant nor clinically meaningful. Those in Arm 1 with a mental health diagnosis had a larger reduction in dosage (-22 milligram morphine equivalents, 95% confidence interval: -33 to -11) than those in Arm 1 without a mental health diagnosis and those in Arm 2 with a mental health diagnosis (interaction p = 0.10). No change from baseline occurred in pain interference or physical function for either arm.

CONCLUSIONS: Additional strategies are needed to support individuals prescribed opioid therapy for chronic pain with pain management and dosage reduction.