Single 2‑hour Empowered Relief class versus usual care to reduce postoperative pain after elective orthopedic surgery
Comparison of the Efficacy of an Empowered Relief Single-Session Versus Standard Care for Reducing Postoperative Pain Following Elective Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This trial tests whether a single 2-hour Empowered Relief pain-management class can help French-speaking adults with chronic pain after elective orthopedic surgery have less postoperative pain and better recovery than standard care over 6 weeks and 3 months.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 134 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sherbrooke, Quebec) |
| Trial ID | NCT07392099 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, pragmatic trial compares a single-session, 2-hour group Empowered Relief (ER) class based on CBT principles to usual postoperative care following elective orthopedic surgery. Participants are French-speaking adults with chronic pain (>4/10 for >3 months) who are randomized to receive ER plus usual care or usual care alone. Outcomes include postoperative pain and recovery measures collected at 6-week and 3-month follow-ups, along with acceptability of the ER intervention. The trial is conducted at CIUSSSE de l'Estrie CHUS (Sherbrooke, Quebec) using the French-Canadian version of ER.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 and older who speak French, have chronic pain related to their surgical indication of greater than 4/10 for more than 3 months, and can attend and complete the single-session class are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with cancer-related pain, significant cognitive impairment, non‑French speakers, or those who previously completed Empowered Relief are unlikely to benefit from this particular intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide patients with a low-cost, easy-to-deliver 2-hour class that reduces postoperative pain and improves recovery after elective orthopedic surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Single-session Empowered Relief and other brief CBT-based interventions have shown benefit in some chronic pain settings, but evidence specifically for postoperative orthopedic populations is still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pain \>4/10 for \>3 months related to the surgical indication * French fluency * Ability to adhere to and complete study protocol * Males and females, 18+ Exclusion Criteria: * Participated in another project that may cause bias in the study results * Pain related to cancer * Cognitive impairment, non-French speaking, or factors that would preclude comprehension of material or full participation in ER * Previous participation in ER
Where this trial is running
Sherbrooke, Quebec
- CIUSSSE de l'Estrie CHUS — Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)
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.