How is the study organized?
This is a clinical study with three groups of patients:
- Usual care: patients receive the regular care that is currently provided in Belgium.
- Standardized tapering program: patients follow a fixed program to stop opioids. This can take place at home or in hospital. During the program, medication is given to make the process as comfortable as possible.
- Personalized tapering program: patients follow a step-by-step program adapted to their needs. Patients are closely monitored for withdrawal symptoms and pain during this process.
Whether the tapering happens at home or in the hospital depends on the amount of medication the patient is using.
What will be measured?
The main question is whether patients have fewer daily limitations 12 months after treatment.
We will also look at other important outcomes, such as:
- pain levels
- quality of life
- daily participation in activities
- anxiety and depression
- use of medication
- costs for healthcare
Patients will be assessed at the start of the study, and again after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Who is involved?
The PIANISSIMO project is run by researchers and doctors from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and UZ Brussel:
- Prof. Dr. Maarten Moens
- Prof. Dr. Lisa Goudman
- Prof. Dr. Koen Putman
- Prof. Dr. Cleo Crunelle
- Dr. Elke Wuyts (PhD researcher)
- Dr. Frenn Bultinck (PhD researcher)
Study flowchart
The PIANISSIMO study includes three groups of patients.
- Two groups will follow an opioid tapering program
- One group will receive usual care without tapering
To compare the results between the groups, patients will be asked to complete five assessments: before the start of treatment (baseline), and then again after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following the pain treatment.
Interested in participating or have questions?
You can always contact our research team, we’ll be happy to help!
You can sign up using the QR code below, and we will get in touch with you:
📧 E-mail: pianissimo@vub.be
📞 Telephone:
- +32 487/48.99.04 (Frenn Bultinck)
- +32 479/02.63.05 (Elke Wuyts)
