Evaluating Group-Based Psychological Treatments Over Home Video Teleconference for Older Veterans With Chronic Pain

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (2) locations...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

This study is being performed to compare the effects of three types of group-based psychological treatments delivered over video telehealth for chronic musculoskeletal pain in older U.S. military Veterans. The three types of psychological treatments are: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), and Mindfulness Meditation (MM). In addition, the investigators will evaluate which patients respond best to each treatment and how each treatment works. The investigators are performing the study because chronic pain is a big problem among Veterans. Older Veterans are the focus because they have the highest rates of chronic pain, perhaps as high has 80%. The investigators are looking at psychological treatments because they are less risky than medications or procedures for older Veterans. Telehealth is an important aspect of the proposal, as delivery over telehealth could improve access to treatments. CBT is endorsed nationally by VA, but no standardized MM is available through VA, and only a few VA sites use EAET, which is a newer treatment focusing on how stress and emotions affect pain. The project aims to evaluate a standardized form of MM and the newer treatment, EAET, compared to the standard CBT used widely in VA.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 60
Maximum Age: 95
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

⁃ Eligible individuals are

• Veterans;

• age 60-95 years;

• have at least 3 months of musculoskeletal pain, including the following conditions: back, neck, leg, or pelvic pain; temporomandibular joint disorders; fibromyalgia; tension headaches; or any combination of these disorders; and

• have an average daily pain intensity of at least 4 on a 0 to 10 scale.

Locations
United States
California
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA
RECRUITING
West Los Angeles
Connecticut
VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT
RECRUITING
West Haven
Contact Information
Primary
Karin C Liu, MPH
karin.liu@va.gov
(310) 478-3711
Backup
Brandon C Yarns, MD MS BME
Brandon.Yarns@va.gov
(310) 478-3711
Time Frame
Start Date: 2023-10-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2027-09-30
Participants
Target number of participants: 216
Treatments
Experimental: Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy
Seeks to reduce physical (e.g., pain) and emotional (e.g., depression, anxiety) symptoms by helping individuals become aware of their emotions, express them, and resolve emotional conflicts. It will use techniques such as writing about stress, role playing how to handle difficult relationships, recognizing and expressing anger and other feelings, and being more open with others.
Experimental: Mindfulness Meditation
Seeks to help individuals achieve present moment awareness, self-compassion, and acceptance of chronic pain. It will use techniques such as the body scan, grounding, mindful breathing, mindful walking, loving kindness, and compassionate breathing.
Active_comparator: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Seeks to help individuals function better and improve symptoms by teaching various cognitive and behavioral skills to manage symptoms. It will use techniques such as relaxation training, engaging in pleasant activities, pacing yourself, and changing unhelpful ways of thinking.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: VA Office of Research and Development

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov