A practical program using emotional awareness and expression therapy for Veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain
A Pragmatic Trial of Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Veterans With Chronic Pain: Phase 1
This project will try emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) versus cognitive behavioral therapy to see if it helps Veterans with moderate-to-severe musculoskeletal chronic pain feel less pain and have fewer mental-health symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 84 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, Los Angeles Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07218757 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a phase 1 pragmatic pilot that will implement Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) delivered by clinicians in usual-care settings across up to seven VA healthcare systems. Veterans with at least three months of musculoskeletal pain and average pain ≥4/10 will be enrolled and receive EAET or cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP). The project focuses on real-world delivery, clinician training, feasibility, and effects on pain severity, pain interference, depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Results will inform a larger effectiveness trial and broader VA implementation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Veterans aged 18 or older receiving care at a participating VA site who have had at least three months of musculoskeletal pain and report average pain of 4/10 or higher are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with poorly controlled major psychiatric illness, active suicide or violence risk, or severe uncontrolled substance use disorder are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy approach could reduce pain severity, improve function, and lessen mental-health symptoms for Veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
How similar studies have performed: Multiple controlled and uncontrolled trials in civilians and Veterans, including two single-site VA trials that showed EAET outperformed CBT-CP in older Veterans, have reported promising results for EAET.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran at one of 7 VA healthcare systems; * Age 18 years or older; * At least 3 months of musculoskeletal pain, defined using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes, which include the following M-code diagnoses: back pain, fibromyalgia, limb pain, neck pain; R-code diagnoses: pelvic and perineal pain, jaw pain; and G-code diagnoses: tension headaches; and * Pain of at least moderate severity, defined as ≥4 "on average" on the 0-10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale Exclusion Criteria: * Poorly controlled major psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder with acute psychotic symptoms, severe manic or depressive episode listed as active in CPRS); * Active suicide or violence risk (e.g., currently suicidal or homicidal ideation, intent, or plans); * Active severe drug/alcohol use disorder (e.g., drinking more than intended, tried to stop but couldn't, spent significant time drinking or being sick from aftereffects, wanted drink so badly you couldn't think of anything else, interference with home or work life, continued to drink despite problems, given up on activities, dangerous situations, withdrawal and/or tolerance); and * Current participation in CBT-CP or EAET, or participation in either intervention in the last 6 months, via clinical care or another research study.
Where this trial is running
Los Angeles, California
- University of California, Los Angeles — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Brandon C Yarns, MD, MS
- Email: VAChronicPainMultiStudy@va.gov
- Phone: 310 268 3304
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.