Mindfulness therapy for older Black adults with chronic pain and depression
Official title: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for the chronic pain-depression co-morbidity among older Blacks in the community; The Quiet Focus study
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10883665 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special version of a mindfulness program to help older Black adults who are dealing with both chronic pain and depression, making sure it fits their cultural experiences and needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $169,556 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AT012363-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883665 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older Black adults suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain and co-occurring depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or who do not experience chronic pain or depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a culturally adapted version of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) specifically for older Black adults who experience both chronic pain and depression. The approach aims to address the unique barriers faced by this community, such as systemic racism and lack of tailored care, by creating a program that resonates with their cultural experiences. Participants will engage in a modified version of MBCT, which has shown promise in improving emotional and physical well-being. The study will involve community input to ensure the intervention is relevant and accessible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide older Black adults with effective tools to manage chronic pain and depression, leading to improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that culturally adapted interventions can be effective in improving health outcomes in underserved populations, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pham, Tony V — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pham, Tony V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
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-
Mindfulness-enhanced brain stimulation for depression
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-
Mindfulness and psilocybin for chronic back pain
A clinical study will explore how mindfulness training combined with a guided psilocybin experience may reduce pain for adults with chronic low back pain.
-
Mobile mindfulness app to help spinal cord injury patients manage chronic pain
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-
Depression and chronic pain: targets to prevent Alzheimer's disease and related disorders
A large, multi-year project will study how depression and chronic pain influence the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders in adults 21 and older, using real-world health data and surveys.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
A non-drug program using mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis is being studied to help Americans aged 60 and up manage chronic pain.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.