Group Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for People with Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder - A Pilot Study
NA · University of Michigan · NCT06865560
This study will test whether a group-based Zoom therapy helps adults with chronic pain and opioid use disorder reduce pain, disability, and emotional problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT06865560 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) is delivered in small groups (5–7 people) over Zoom by trained therapists to help participants work through stress, trauma, and emotions linked to chronic pain. The therapy emphasizes recognizing and expressing emotions and learning to feel safe with those emotions as a pathway to reduce pain and related disability. The trial's primary aims are to determine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of this remote group EAET intervention in adults with widespread pain and opioid use disorder. Outcomes include changes in pain, disability, mood (depression and anxiety), emotion regulation, and related functional measures.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with widespread chronic pain and a diagnosed opioid use disorder who can read, write, and speak English, have home internet and audio–visual capability, and can provide informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with autoimmune disease, spinal cord injury, cancer, current participation in CBT/EAET or other psychological pain therapies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, major cognitive impairment, or open litigation related to pain may not receive benefit or may be ineligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a convenient telehealth group therapy that reduces pain and improves emotional coping, potentially lowering disability and reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have performed: EAET and related emotion-focused therapies have shown promise for reducing chronic pain in prior trials, but applying EAET specifically to people with concurrent opioid use disorder is relatively novel and less tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Be able to read, write and speak English * Have Internet access and audio-visual conferencing capability (e.g., Zoom meetings by phone or computer) in the home * Widespread pain and has opioid use disorder (OUD) Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of autoimmune disease, spinal cord injury, cancer. * Currently receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy, EAET, or other psychological therapies for pain * Open litigation regarding chronic pain in the past 1 year, as assessed in preliminary study screening. * Inability to provide informed consent and complete study procedures (e.g., indications of suspected major cognitive impairment via observations of study staff during consenting) that would preclude comprehension or participation in study protocols. * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Any other diseases or conditions that would make a patient unsuitable for study participation as determined by the site principal investigators.
Where this trial is running
Ann Arbor, Michigan
- The University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: John Sturgeon, PhD — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Joseph Long
- Email: josephlo@med.umich.edu
- Phone: 734-763-0108
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.
Conditions: Chronic Pain, Opioid Use Disorder