Combined treatment for PTSD and chronic pain
Pilot of an Integrated Treatment for Comorbid PTSD and Chronic Pain
This project will try a combined therapy that treats PTSD and long-term pain at the same time for adults who have both conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Weill Medical College of Cornell University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT07225049 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-arm pilot testing an integrated intervention that delivers evidence-based PTSD therapy (Prolonged Exposure) together with cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain, rather than offering them one after the other. Adults who meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD and report clinically meaningful chronic pain will receive the combined protocol while remaining on stable medications. Outcomes will include changes in PTSD symptoms, pain severity, functional impairment, and treatment retention to gauge feasibility and preliminary efficacy. The work is conducted at Weill Cornell Medicine with in-person outpatient therapy visits.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18 or older who speak English, meet CAPS-5 criteria for PTSD, report chronic pain severity of 4/10 or higher over the past three months, are medically stable, and have had stable psychotropic medications for at least 60 days are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with a lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, or bipolar I disorder, those with moderate to severe recent substance use, those currently receiving evidence-based PTSD or pain psychotherapy, or those with significant cognitive impairment are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, delivering PTSD and pain treatment together could reduce both symptoms more efficiently and lower dropout compared with treating each condition separately.
How similar studies have performed: Gold-standard treatments like Prolonged Exposure and CBT for chronic pain are effective individually, but simultaneous integrated approaches are relatively novel and have limited prior testing.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years or older * English-speaking * Currently meets criteria for PTSD, assessed by the CAPS-5 (any trauma type) - Chronic pain, assessed by greater than or equal to 4 on a scale of 0-10 pain severity over the past 3 months * Medically stable at the time of study enrollment (chronic illness and disability does not prevent attendance of outpatient therapy sessions) * Stable on psychotropic medication for past 60 days * Agreed to not change current medication or pain-related treatments over the course of the study unless medically necessary Exclusion Criteria: * Lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, or bipolar I disorder * Participation in concurrent evidence-based psychological treatment for PTSD or chronic pain during the past 3 months * Participants must not participate in an evidence-based psychological treatment for either PTSD or pain during the course of the study. * Moderate or severe substance use in the past 90 days * Cognitive impairment to the degree that the patient cannot provide informed consent or fill out assessment measures * Participants who in the PI's judgement pose a current homicidal or suicidal risk
Where this trial is running
New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Medicine — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: JoAnn Difede, PhD — Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Mariel Emrich, MS
- Email: mae2050@med.cornell.edu
- Phone: 212-821-0783
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.