Performing Department
EXT HEALTH NUTRIT
Non Technical Summary
Ruralhealth and safety education can help Michigan's underserved rural adults by increasing protective factors and reducingrisk factors related to the complex interconnections between sleep, pain, and opioid misuse. Michigan State University (MSU) Extension's projecttitled, "Preventing Opioid Misuse by Empowering Michigan Rural Adults to Manage Pain Through Improved Sleep " has several objectives. The project uses a multi-level, four-aimed approach to prevent opioid misuse in Michigan's rural communities. The first aim of this project is to work with rural media outlets to increase the general public's knowledge of Michigan's rural opioid crisis and related resources through a public awareness campaign. The second aim is to work with rurally located health-related organizations and providers to promote referrals into evidence-based prevention programs. Within the third aim, MSU Extension plans to equip and empower community-based lay volunteers to deliver evidencebased prevention programs (leader training). The fourth aim will use a combination of distance-learning and in-person evidence-based programs to enable residents in all Michigan's rural counties to use non-pharmacological approaches for sleep and pain management, e.g., Tai Chi, mindfulness education, in the prevention of problematic opioid use.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
This proposed project focuses on reducing pain and sleep deprivation as risk factors for opioid misuse and increasing protective factors that prevent and inhibit adverse opioid-related behaviors among Michigan's rural adults. Pain, sleep, and opioid misuse intersect in complex ways and are seldom addressed in rural areas. Individuals with disturbed sleep tend to have enhanced pain sensitivity and lowered pain thresholds. Heightened pain levels are associated with greater sleep disturbances creating a cyclical pattern of elevated pain and sleep problems. Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is collaborating with an MSU sleep expert on this innovative opioid misuse prevention project. The project is collaborating with MSU's College of Human Medicine for connections to rural healthcare providers and a statewide family medicine residency network.Objective 1: Conduct a rural media public awareness campaign (e.g., radio, newspapers).Objective 2: Receive at least 150 referrals per year to SLEEP, mindfulness, and Tai Chi Extension programs.The project increases healthcare providers' awareness of Extension's prevention programs and promotes referrals.Objective 3: Train and certify/recertify at least 12 local volunteers and Extension staff to teach SLEEP and/or Tai Chi. Objective 4: Reach an estimated 900 rural adults through multi-session, evidence-based prevention courses that include two innovative bundled learning opportunities for rural adults: (1) SLEEP + Tai Chi (a 16-lesson program, commonly delivered over eight weeks), and (2) SLEEP + Stress Less with Mindfulness Plus Practice (a 6-week program). Project partners include recovery networks, commissions on aging (senior centers), faith-based recovery, and rural family medicine providers.
Project Methods
Obj. 1 Plan, implement, and assess a publicawareness campaign. Develop PSAs and press releases, submit to rural media (radio, newspaper); Track A&R presentations and recorded views.Obj. 2 Promote and track program referrals.Develop promotional materials for online referrals and give to healthcareproviders/ partners; Assess reach and response.Obj. 3 Plan and conductleader training. ConductTai Chi and SLEEP Leadertraining (year 2); Holdquarterly instructor meetings.Obj. 4 Plan, implement, and evaluate bundledprograms. Plan andimplement SLEEP + Tai Chi and SLEEP + Stress Less with Mindfulness Plus Practice multi-week series; Collect program evaluation.