2024 | Track 2 | Development of an Accessible, Integrative Treatment for Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder in Appalachia

TRACK 2 SEED GRANT | Whole Health Consortium

Development of an Accessible, Integrative Treatment for Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder in Appalachia 

TEAM:

• Dr. Meagan Brem, Psychology
• Dr. Chloe Hudson, Psychology
• Dr. Edward Fox, Computer Science
• Dr. Mary Beth Dunkenberger, Institute for Policy and Governance
• Dr. Teresa Johnson, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine 
• Dr. April Fu, School of Neuroscience 
• Dr. Chris Grubb, Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science
• Dr. Rena Courtney, Salem VA Health Care System 
• Dr. Dan Blalock, Durham VA Health Care System  
• Dr. Robert McNamara, Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine 

Despite high rates of co-occurring chronic pain (CP) and opioid use disorder (OUD) among Appalachians, there are few treatments that are accessible and effective for reducing these cooccurring conditions within this priority population. As a first-step toward addressing this need, this project will (1) conduct an ecological momentary assessment study to identify daily experiences that potentiate co-occurring CP and OUD that can be targeted in a smartphone-based intervention; (2) facilitate our team’s partnerships with the Opioid Research Consortium of Central Appalachia to enhance our knowledge of Appalachians’ holistic health needs; and (3) facilitate the development of a community advisory board to ensure that our line of research centers on Appalachians with cooccurring CP and OUD. By leveraging transdisciplinary and community expertise within this pilot study, our team will be well-positioned to develop a novel intervention that will be trusted and used by Appalachians to reduce CP and OUD.