Meaning-Based Psychotherapy for Adults with Chronic Pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial compares Meaning-Based Psychotherapy (MBP) delivered in a group format to optimized usual care using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies for chronic pain. Participants are adults with chronic non-cancer pain who experience high pain catastrophizing and a low sense of purpose. The study aims to see if MBP can improve meaning in life, reduce depressive symptoms, and enhance overall quality of life. Interventions address multiple dimensions of pain—sensory, cognitive, and emotional—within a framework that strengthens coping resources. Outcomes will be assessed through standardized questionnaires and clinical assessments over the study period.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants will be adults;
2. Patients treated at Mental Health Service for anxiety and depressive symptoms related to chronic non-cancer pain; the diagnosis will be recorded according to the ICD-10 criteria identified in their medical records.
3. Tendency to catastrophize pain (score greater than 30 on the Pain Catastrophizing Questionnaire (García-Campayo, J., 2008));
4. Low sense of purpose or lack of a defined sense of purpose in life (score less than 105 on the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) (Crumbaugh \& Maholick, 1969).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnoses of a severe mental disorder (schizophrenia, substance dependence, dementia, or cognitive impairment) identified through information obtained in a clinical interview or digital health record.
2. Severe suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt within the last 6 months. This will be assessed using responses to item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory (2nd ed.). This item is commonly used in clinical studies to identify suicidal ideation and has proven to be a good predictor of suicidal intent and risk (Green et al. 2015, von Brachel et al. 2018). Participants with recent suicide attempts or whose response to item 3 ("I would commit suicide if I had the opportunity") will be excluded, as this indicates suicidal intent and a higher risk of suicide (Green et al. 2015). In such cases, referral to the appropriate mental health service will be prioritized according to protocol.

Where it's running

• Hospital Universitario San Cecilio
  Granada, Granada, Spain Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Leyre Hidalgo-Lopez, Clinical Psychologist
• Email: leire.hidalgo.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
• Phone: +34665755444

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.