Group psychological treatments via video for older veterans with chronic pain
Evaluating Group-Based Psychological Treatments Over Home Video Teleconference for Older Veterans With Chronic Pain
This study is testing three different video-based therapy options to see which one helps older veterans with chronic pain feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 216 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 95 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 2 sites (West Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06004804 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study compares the effects of three group-based psychological treatments delivered through video telehealth for older U.S. military Veterans suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain. The treatments being evaluated are Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), and Mindfulness Meditation (MM). The goal is to optimize these treatments for better access and effectiveness, particularly for older Veterans who are more susceptible to the side effects of medications. The study will also assess which patient characteristics predict the best responses to each treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are veterans aged 60-95 with at least three months of chronic musculoskeletal pain and a daily pain intensity of 4 or higher.
Not a fit: Patients with pain conditions that are likely to respond only to pharmacologic or surgical treatments may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide older veterans with effective, low-risk psychological treatments for managing chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using psychological interventions for chronic pain, but this specific approach using telehealth is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Eligible individuals are * Veterans; * age 60-95 years; * have at least 3 months of musculoskeletal pain, including the following conditions: back, neck, leg, or pelvic pain; temporomandibular joint disorders; fibromyalgia; tension headaches; or any combination of these disorders; and * have an average daily pain intensity of at least 4 on a 0 to 10 scale. Exclusion Criteria: * pain conditions likely to respond pharmacologic or surgical treatment only when they are the primary or sole complaint: hip or knee osteoarthritis, leg pain greater than back pain (to exclude radiculopathy), electromyography-confirmed "tunnel" syndromes (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome), gout, neuralgias, migraine, and cluster headaches; * non-musculoskeletal pain conditions: autoimmune disease that typically generates pain (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), cancer pain, sickle cell disease, burn pain, infection associated with pain, and cauda equina syndrome; and * these conditions or circumstances: severe psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder not controlled with medications, active suicide or violence risk, active severe alcohol or substance use disorder, substantial cognitive impairment or dementia (assessed using telephone Mini-Mental State Examination (tMMSE) score \<19), previously completed EAET, CBT-CP, or MM/MBSR, currently enrolled in another psychological pain treatment, currently in pain-related litigation or applying for pain-related compensation or compensation increase, unable to fluently read or converse in English, no home internet access.
Where this trial is running
West Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA — West Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT — West Haven, Connecticut, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Brandon C Yarns, MD MS BME — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA
- Study coordinator: Karin C Liu, MPH
- Email: karin.liu@va.gov
- Phone: (310) 478-3711
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.