Culturally adapted Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Israelis with chronic musculoskeletal pain who use medical cannabis
A Culturally Adapted Group-Based, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy Intervention - Hebrew (EAET-H) for Chronic Pain Patients Treated With Medical Cannabis in Israel - A Pilot Study
This pilot will test whether an eight-week, culturally adapted group emotional therapy can help Israeli adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain who use medical cannabis feel less pain and improve emotional well-being.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 8 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tel Aviv) |
| Trial ID | NCT07168707 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The project will culturally adapt an eight-session, group-based Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET-H) for Israeli patients treated with medical cannabis using established adaptation steps. The adapted program is delivered as weekly 1.5-hour group sessions over eight weeks while participants continue their usual medical care. A single-arm pilot will examine implementation fidelity, feasibility, and acceptability, and participants will complete questionnaires on pain, mood, sleep, and daily functioning. Results will guide whether a larger controlled trial is appropriate.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults in Israel with chronic musculoskeletal pain for three months or longer who are treated with medical cannabis, able to take part in group discussions, interested in exploring emotional contributors to their symptoms, and willing to sign consent.
Not a fit: People with excluded medical causes of pain (e.g., confirmed hip/knee osteoarthritis, radiculopathy, autoimmune pain conditions, cancer, chronic infection), uncontrolled severe psychiatric disorders, or who are not using medical cannabis or unwilling to participate in group emotional work are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the adapted therapy could reduce pain and improve mood, sleep, and daily functioning for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain who use medical cannabis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous EAET trials have shown reductions in pain and improvements in depression and anxiety in diverse chronic pain populations, but EAET has not been tested specifically in patients using medical cannabis or previously adapted for Israeli cultural contexts.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosed with any chronic musculoskeletal pain (≥ three months in duration). widespread pain or fibromyalgia or any combination of these conditions; 2. Treated with medical Cannabis; 3. Physical and mental ability to participate in group discussions; 4. Explicitly endorsed an interest in exploring potential emotional factors contributing to their somatic symptoms; 5. Signed informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: 1. The following conditions will be excluded: confirmed hip/knee osteoarthritis, radiculopathy, electromyography-confirmed "tunnel" syndromes, autoimmune disease that typically generates pain (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus, sickle cell disease), cancer, and chronic infection associated with pain; 2. Severe mental illness or psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, multiple personality disorder, or dissociative identity disorder not controlled with medications. In addition, active suicide or violence risk in the past year, active severe alcohol or substance use disorder. 3. Unable to fluently read or converse in Hebrew; 4. Participation in any other clinical study or program focusing on psychological or behavioral intervention.
Where this trial is running
Tel Aviv
- Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital — Tel Aviv, Israel (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Pnina Marom, M.P.H.; Ph.D. Student
- Email: pninamarom87@gmail.com
- Phone: +972-526134797
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.