Single-session CBT, PRT, or EAET for chronic musculoskeletal 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

Adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be randomized to a single 90-minute session of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), or a no-treatment control. Pain and mood will be measured at baseline, immediately after the session, and at 1-week and 4-week follow-ups. CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors to manage pain, while PRT and EAET are newer approaches that target fear-related neural sensitization and emotional processes that may maintain pain. The trial enrolls English-speaking U.S. adults with persistent musculoskeletal pain and requires internet access and willingness to be randomized.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Pain for at least 3 months and experienced 4 or more days/week for the past 6 months
* Pain intensity last week is \>= 3 (0 to 10 rating scale)
* Pain interference last week is \>= 3 (0 to 10 rating scale)
* At least age 18
* Lives in United States
* Fluent in English
* Has personal computer/tablet and internet access
* Able to attend one 90-minute session
* Willing to be randomized
* Seeking to improve their pain-related status via a psychological therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Past 2 years (treated for or having experienced):
* Complex regional pain syndrome
* Epilepsy/seizure disorder
* Autoimmune disease
* Liver disease
* Cancer
* Heart disease
* Substance dependence or use disorder
* Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder
* Bipolar disorder
* Obsessive-compulsive disorder
* Borderline personality disorder
* Suicide attempt or suicide intention or impulse
* Major medical procedure scheduled within next 2 months
* Applied for/ litigating for pain-related disability/worker's compensation (past year).
* Major life event/stressor in past 6 months
* Cognitive impairment (screener score \<=4)

Where it's running

• Rush University Medical Center
  Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
• Wayne State University
  Detroit, Michigan, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mark A Lumley, PhD
• Email: mlumley@wayne.edu
• Phone: 313-577-2247

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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.