Groups for Regaining Our Wellbeing

Summary

This study is a randomized clinical trial measuring outcomes up to 6-months post-intervention. The objective of this study is to evaluate outcomes of two different group interventions for Veterans with Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI). The interventions to be compared are Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and an adapted version of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (aCDSMP) for Veterans experiencing symptoms of Chronic Multi-Symptom Illness (CMI) - musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive failures - especially those who were deployed to Gulf War I. Hypothesis One (re: Outcomes): Participants randomized to the adapted Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (aCDSMP) will derive benefit for the primary outcomes, but with smaller effects than the participants randomized to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). The investigators hypothesize that Veterans randomized to MBSR will report greater reductions in each of the three primary outcome measures (pain, fatigue, and cognitive failures) at 6-month follow-up as compared to aCDSMP. Hypothesis Two (re: Acceptability): MBSR will be an acceptable and satisfactory program for Veterans with CMI, as measured by attendance rates, a self-report measure of satisfaction, and qualitative interviews. The investigators hypothesize that Veterans with CMI randomized to MBSR will report greater satisfaction with care than their peers randomized to aCDSMP.

Conditions

• Gulf War
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Depression

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

An 8-week standardized group program to teach mindfulness skills. In MBSR, participants meet for 2.5 hours per week for 8 weeks in a group format. Participants receive instruction in mindfulness meditation according to a standardized curriculum and have the opportunity to ask questions.

BEHAVIORAL

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

The CDSMP is a structured program to teach self-management skills based on self-efficacy theory. CDSMP teaches self-management strategies and attempts to modify illness beliefs, enhance self-management capabilities and reinforce successful management strategies. CDSMP is based on self-efficacy theory, which posits that key determinants of behavior are: 1). self-efficacy (confidence in the ability to carry out an action) and 2). outcome expectancy (expectation that a particular goal will be achieved).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VA Office of Research and Development

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Tracy L Simpson, PhD · VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-08-08

Primary Completion

2022-03-31

Completion

2022-05-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations