Evaluating the Feasibility and Efficacy of Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) on Fibromyalgia Outcomes in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a psychotherapy intervention works to relieve widespread pain in patients with lupus. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is the psychotherapy treatment safe for lupus patients? Are lupus patients able to complete the treatment? Can the treatment help improve chronic pain and other symptoms in lupus patients? Researchers will compare the treatment to a control (participants who will continue their medical treatment but will not receive psychotherapy for the time frame of the treatment) to see if the psychotherapy treatment works to relieve widespread pain and other lupus related symptoms. Participants will: Fill out questionnaires before and after the treatment. participate in 8 weekly treatment sessions, 2 hours per session, delivered via Zoom from their own home. Keep a list of medications and monitor any changes in their medication regimen.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 65
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Adults of all genders, ages 18-65.

• A diagnosis of lupus and fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain by a licensed rheumatologist

• Be on a stable medication regimen.

Locations
United States
Utah
University of Utah
RECRUITING
Salt Lake City
Contact Information
Primary
Dan Kaufmann, PhD
dan.kaufmann@hsc.utah.edu
385-351-9058
Backup
Dalia Sriwi, MD
Dalia.Sriwi@hsc.utah.edu
801-581-7724
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-12-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2028-11-04
Participants
Target number of participants: 30
Treatments
Experimental: Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy
The treatment will be will be conducted via video telemedicine (HIPAA-compliant Zoom), in small groups of patients, for eight weekly sessions, 2 hours per session. Each session will use an educational lecture, discussion, in-class experiential exercises, and homework assignments. During sessions, participants will be encouraged to identify their stressors and experience, and to express their avoided or suppressed emotions, using exercises such as emotional disclosure, role-playing, and the empty chair technique. Participants will be given homework assignments to complete between sessions, including expressive writing, identifying stressors and avoided emotions, and practicing healthy communication skills.
No_intervention: Wait list control
Participants assigned to the waitlist control condition will be assessed at baseline and at a time matched to EAET post-treatment. All interested participants will be offered the opportunity to receive the EAET treatment once their WL period is completed. Those who opt to receive the treatment will be required to complete another set of assessments again post-treatment.
Sponsors
Leads: University of Utah

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov