Group-based pain management for low-income patients

Group-based Integrative Pain Management: A Multi-level Approach to Address Intersectional Stigma and Social Isolation in Diverse Primary Care Safety Net Patients With Chronic Pain

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT06327542

This study is testing whether group-based pain management techniques, like medical visits and acupuncture, can help low-income patients with chronic pain feel better and get the care they need.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment360 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT06327542 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to improve pain management for socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals suffering from chronic pain by implementing group-based integrative models in primary care safety net clinics. It will utilize a pragmatic 2x2 randomized factorial design to test two interventions: integrative group medical visits and group acupuncture, involving 360 participants. The approach focuses on addressing barriers to care, enhancing patient-clinician communication, and fostering social support among diverse low-income patients. The study seeks to reduce disparities in pain assessment and treatment through a biopsychosocial framework.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who are fluent in English or Spanish, have a diagnosis of chronic pain for more than three months, and are panelled to a primary care provider at one of the study clinics.

Not a fit: Patients who have received group-based pain management or acupuncture treatment in the past three months, or those undergoing active cancer treatment, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide more effective and equitable pain management options for low-income patients with chronic pain.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using group-based models for pain management, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged ≥ 18
* Fluency in English or Spanish
* Panelled to a primary care provider at one of the study clinics
* Diagnosis of chronic pain (\> 3 months)
* Had a primary care visit for chronic pain within the past six months
* Ability to provide a phone number
* Able to participate in groups
* Intent to be available for up to 24 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

* Received group-based pain management in the past 3 months
* Received acupuncture treatment for pain in the past 3 months
* Active cancer treatment
* Inability to provide informed consent due to mental illness or cognitive impairment

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Painhealth equityintegrative healthnonpharmacologic pain managementstigmasocial isolationprimary caregroup medical visits
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.