$7.1M grant to review opioid alternatives to treating sickle cell disease pain

(University of Illinois at Chicago) Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago will lead a $7.1 million, five-year national study to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and guided relaxation for people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease. The National Institutes of Health grant is part of its Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative. The initiative aims to improve prevention and treatment strategies for opioid misuse and addiction and to enhance pain management.