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Opioid UseEQUIPPEDNCT05221866

Efficiency And Quality In Post-Surgical Pain Therapy After Discharge

A study testing Empowering Patient to Steer Their Pain Management After Surgery and Provider-facing Prescription Aid in people with Opioid Use and Opioid Dependence, run by University of Nebraska at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Following inpatient surgery, more than 80% of patients are prescribed opioids for use after discharge, yet up to 90% of patients report leftover opioids, and only 16% maximize non-opioid therapy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 19 to 89 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Opioid Use, Opioid Dependence, Opioid Misuse
What is being tested?
Empowering Patient to Steer Their Pain Management After Surgery and Provider-facing Prescription Aid
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
711 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
2 May 2022to 10 Dec 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 19 to 89 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 19-89 years old
  • Access to a smartphone (iOS or Android)
  • Inpatient surgery requiring at least over-night hospitalization and anticipated discharge to home

Who cannot join

  • Re-hospitalization within 30 days
  • Pregnant
  • Unable to read the English language
  • Discharge to a post-acute care facility
  • Contraindications to opioids, acetaminophen, or NSAIDs
  • Long-term opioid therapy (AHRQ definition - opioid use on most days >3 months) prior to surgery

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center

    Omaha, Nebraska, 68198

Other trials in United States

About this study

Following inpatient surgery, more than 80% of patients are prescribed opioids for use after discharge, yet up to 90% of patients report leftover opioids, and only 16% maximize non-opioid therapy. The proposed study seeks to test a provider-facing decision support tool and a participant-facing smartphone app to reduce the amount of opioids prescribed and taken following discharge, while ensuring effective treatment of pain after surgery. Adult participants with smart phones having had inpatient surgery requiring at least over-night hospitalization with anticipated discharge to home will be randomized to one of the two groups. Study measurements will include self-reported cumulative amounts of opioids taken after discharge, non-opioid analgesic taken, prescribed post-discharge opioid doses in morphine milligram equivalents (MME), pain intensity and pain interference scores (PROMIS), need for additional opioid prescriptions within one-month post-discharge, as well as any self-reported disposal of leftover medications.

Read the detailed description

Prior to discharge from the hospital, patients will be approached regarding interest in the study with an introductory letter that describes the content and purpose of the study. Following informed consent, participants will be randomized to receive the consumer health informatics app (UControlPain) versus provision of an app with only data collection function (no educational components). Randomization will be implemented via REDCap by the study coordinators. Further, information on which type of app was installed will not be shared with providers or participants.

During the second half of the trial, a provider-facing electronic decision support tool will be activated. This will create a 2:2 design to test the provider-facing tool. Four arms will be described: the UControlPain App with Only data collection, the UControlPain Educational app only, the UControlPain App and provider-facing tool, and the UControlPain App with only data collection function and provider-facing tool. Once half of the subjects are enrolled, the provider-facing tool will be turned on.

Being tested
Empowering Patient to Steer Their Pain Management After Surgery, Provider-facing Prescription Aid
Medical subject headings
Opioid-Related Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Empowering Patient to Steer Their Pain Management After SurgeryBehavioural

    Participants will be randomized to receive the consumer health informatics app (UControlPain) versus an app with only data collection function (no educational components) in an intent-to-treat design. Randomization will be implemented via REDCap by the study coordinators so that all investigators will remain blind to group assignment. Further, information on which type of app was installed will not be shared with providers or participants.

  • Provider-facing Prescription AidBehavioural

    Providers will be given information to inform a participant-centered post-discharge pain management plan. This tool will be activated once half the subjects are enrolled. Participants will be masked when the provider-facing tool is turned on.

Study groups in NCT05221866
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
UControlPain App With Only Data Collection Function (Control)No interventionUControlPain App with only data collection function. No provider-facing prescription intervention.
UControlPain Educational App OnlyActive comparatorUControlPain app with education components. No provider-facing prescription intervention.
Receives: Behavioral: Empowering Patient to Steer Their Pain Management After Surgery
UControlPain App and Provider Facing ToolActive comparatorUControlPain app with education components and provider-facing prescription intervention. Once half of the subjects are enrolled, the provider-facing tool will be turned on. Participants will be masked to when the provider-facing tool is activated.
Receives: Behavioral: Empowering Patient to Steer Their Pain Management After Surgery; Behavioral: Provider-facing Prescription Aid
Provider Facing Tool OnlyActive comparatorUControlPain App with only data collection function. Provider-facing prescription intervention. Once half of the subjects are enrolled, the provider-facing tool will be turned on. Participants will be masked to when the provider-facing tool is activated.
Receives: Behavioral: Provider-facing Prescription Aid

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Cumulative Weekly Opioid Intake After Discharge

    Opioids reported as taken will be recorded by type of opioid, units, and total amount taken within the first 28 days after hospital discharge. To account for different opioid potencies, the cumulative dose of opioids will be expressed in milligram morphine equivalents (MME).

    Measured: Baseline (discharge), weekly for four weeks

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Pain Assessment-Pain Intensity

    The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was used to measure pain intensity, with higher scores indicating more intense pain. The PROMIS was assessed four times after discharge, once per week for 28 days, and averaged. On the PROMIS 4-item scale pain intensity scores, higher scores indicate higher pain intensity. All PROMIS scores are analyzed as standardized T-scores [mean=50, standard deviation (SD) =10].

    Measured: Weekly for four weeks after discharge

  2. Pain Assessment-Pain Interference

    The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was used to measure pain interference, with higher scores indicating more intense pain. The PROMIS was assessed four times after discharge, once per week for 28 days, and averaged. On the PROMIS 4-item scale pain interference scores, higher scores indicate higher pain interference. All PROMIS scores are analyzed as standardized T-scores [mean=50, standard deviation (SD) =10].

    Measured: Weekly for four weeks after discharge

  3. Opioid Prescription Amount in Morphine Milligram Equivalents on Day of Discharge

    Opioids prescribed on the day of discharge will be recorded by type of opioid, unit dispensed, and total amount dispensed. To account for different opioid potencies, the cumulative dose of opioids will be expressed in milligram morphine equivalents (MME).

    Measured: Baseline (discharge)

  4. Number of Participants With Opioids Prescribed From "Day of Discharge + 1" Until 28 Days After Discharge

    Discovered by medical record review. This measure will account for opioids prescribed to patients because they run out prematurely. We will calculate opioid prescriptions from "day of discharge +1" until 28 days after discharge.

    Measured: Baseline (discharge) +1 day until day 28, up to 27 days total

  5. Number of Participants Who Disposed of Opioids

    Number of participants who reported their disposal of any leftover opioids is recorded. This is reported on the weekly surveys done in 28 days post-discharge.

    Measured: Baseline (discharge), weekly for four weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted3 Feb 2022
  2. Study start2 May 2022
  3. Primary completion10 Dec 2023
  4. Study completion10 Dec 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Model description
The participant-facing app will be trialed prior to and after implementation of a provider-facing prescription intervention using a 2x2 design. Four arms will be described: the UControlPain App with Only data collection, the UControlPain Educational app only, the UControlPain App and provider-facing tool, and the UControlPain App with only data collection function and provider-facing tool. Once half of the subjects are enrolled, the provider-facing tool will be turned on.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Investigator
Enrolment
711 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05221866
Sponsor's protocol ID
0724-21-FB
Acronym
EQUIPPED
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
26 Oct 2021
Last updated
1 Jul 2025
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Guy GP Jr, Zhang K, Bohm MK, Losby J, Lewis B, Young R, Murphy LB, Dowell D. Vital Signs: Changes in Opioid Prescribing in the United States, 2006-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Jul 7;66(26):697-704. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6626a4.

    PubMed 28683056
  • Scholl L, Seth P, Kariisa M, Wilson N, Baldwin G. Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths - United States, 2013-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018 Jan 4;67(5152):1419-1427. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm675152e1.

    PubMed 30605448
  • Bicket MC, Long JJ, Pronovost PJ, Alexander GC, Wu CL. Prescription Opioid Analgesics Commonly Unused After Surgery: A Systematic Review. JAMA Surg. 2017 Nov 1;152(11):1066-1071. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0831.

    PubMed 28768328
  • Bartels K, Mayes LM, Dingmann C, Bullard KJ, Hopfer CJ, Binswanger IA. Opioid Use and Storage Patterns by Patients after Hospital Discharge following Surgery. PLoS One. 2016 Jan 29;11(1):e0147972. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147972. eCollection 2016.

    PubMed 26824844
  • Bateman BT, Cole NM, Maeda A, Burns SM, Houle TT, Huybrechts KF, Clancy CR, Hopp SB, Ecker JL, Ende H, Grewe K, Raposo Corradini B, Schoenfeld RE, Sankar K, Day LJ, Harris L, Booth JL, Flood P, Bauer ME, Tsen LC, Landau R, Leffert LR. Patterns of Opioid Prescription and Use After Cesarean Delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Jul;130(1):29-35. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002093.

    PubMed 28594763
  • Nooromid MJ, Blay E Jr, Holl JL, Bilimoria KY, Johnson JK, Eskandari MK, Stulberg JJ. Discharge prescription patterns of opioid and nonopioid analgesics after common surgical procedures. Pain Rep. 2018 Feb 6;3(1):e637. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000637. eCollection 2018 Jan.

    PubMed 29430565
  • Waljee JF, Li L, Brummett CM, Englesbe MJ. Iatrogenic Opioid Dependence in the United States: Are Surgeons the Gatekeepers? Ann Surg. 2017 Apr;265(4):728-730. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001904. No abstract available.

    PubMed 27429023
  • Howard R, Waljee J, Brummett C, Englesbe M, Lee J. Reduction in Opioid Prescribing Through Evidence-Based Prescribing Guidelines. JAMA Surg. 2018 Mar 1;153(3):285-287. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.4436.

    PubMed 29214318
  • Khorfan R, Shallcross ML, Yu B, Sanchez N, Parilla S, Coughlin JM, Johnson JK, Bilimoria KY, Stulberg JJ. Preoperative patient education and patient preparedness are associated with less postoperative use of opioids. Surgery. 2020 May;167(5):852-858. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.01.002. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

    PubMed 32087946
  • Prabhu M, McQuaid-Hanson E, Hopp S, Burns SM, Leffert LR, Landau R, Lauffenburger JC, Choudhry NK, Kaimal A, Bateman BT. A Shared Decision-Making Intervention to Guide Opioid Prescribing After Cesarean Delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Jul;130(1):42-46. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002094.

    PubMed 28594762
  • Frieden TR, Houry D. Reducing the Risks of Relief--The CDC Opioid-Prescribing Guideline. N Engl J Med. 2016 Apr 21;374(16):1501-4. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp1515917. Epub 2016 Mar 15. No abstract available.

    PubMed 26977701
  • Manchikanti L, Helm S 2nd, Fellows B, Janata JW, Pampati V, Grider JS, Boswell MV. Opioid epidemic in the United States. Pain Physician. 2012 Jul;15(3 Suppl):ES9-38.

    PubMed 22786464
  • Heyward J, Olson L, Sharfstein JM, Stuart EA, Lurie P, Alexander GC. Evaluation of the Extended-Release/Long-Acting Opioid Prescribing Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Program by the US Food and Drug Administration: A Review. JAMA Intern Med. 2020 Feb 1;180(2):301-309. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.5459.

    PubMed 31886822
  • Chen EY, Marcantonio A, Tornetta P 3rd. Correlation Between 24-Hour Predischarge Opioid Use and Amount of Opioids Prescribed at Hospital Discharge. JAMA Surg. 2018 Feb 21;153(2):e174859. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.4859. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

    PubMed 29238810
  • Carrico JA, Mahoney K, Raymond KM, McWilliams SK, Mayes LM, Mikulich-Gilbertson SK, Bartels K. Predicting Opioid Use Following Discharge After Cesarean Delivery. Ann Fam Med. 2020 Mar;18(2):118-126. doi: 10.1370/afm.2493.

    PubMed 32152015

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Empowering Patient to Steer Their Pain Management After Surgery and Provider-facing Prescription Aid in people with Opioid Use and Opioid Dependence, run by University of Nebraska at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 1 Jul 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Cumulative Weekly Opioid Intake After Discharge (time frame: Baseline (discharge), weekly for four weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05221866, which also lists 91 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Jul 2025.

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