Relieving acute pain (RAP) study: a proof-of-concept protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

What is it about?

We designed a study to test the feasibility and acceptability of a method that exploits placebo effects, to reduce opioid intake in traumatic pain patients. The study will also test how the reduction of opioids during hospitalization will affect future use of opioids within a 6-month follow-up period. This novel prospect of placebo use could improve knowledge about how expectancies can modulate pain, as well as illuminate potential avenues to prevent chronic opioid use by reducing opioid treatments for those with acute pain.

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