Group-Based Psychological Treatments Over Video Conference for Older Veterans With Chronic Pain

Summary

This study is being performed to compare the effects of three types of group-based psychological treatments delivered over video telehealth for chronic musculoskeletal pain in older U.S. military Veterans. The three types of psychological treatments are: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), and Mindfulness Meditation (MM). In addition, the investigators will evaluate which patients respond best to each treatment and how each treatment works.

The investigators are performing the study because chronic pain is a big problem among Veterans. Older Veterans are the focus because they have the highest rates of chronic pain, perhaps as high has 80%. The investigators are looking at psychological treatments because they are less risky than medications or procedures for older Veterans. Telehealth is an important aspect of the proposal, as delivery over telehealth could improve access to treatments. CBT is endorsed nationally by VA, but no standardized MM is available through VA, and only a few VA sites use EAET, which is a newer treatment focusing on how stress and emotions affect pain. The project aims to evaluate a standardized form of MM and the newer treatment, EAET, compared to the standard CBT used widely in VA.

Conditions

• Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy

Seeks to reduce physical (e.g., pain) and emotional (e.g., depression, anxiety) symptoms by helping individuals become aware of their emotions, express them, and resolve emotional conflicts. It will use techniques such as writing about stress, role playing how to handle difficult relationships, recognizing and expressing anger and other feelings, and being more open with others.

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness Meditation

Seeks to help individuals achieve present moment awareness, self-compassion, and acceptance of chronic pain. It will use techniques such as the body scan, grounding, mindful breathing, mindful walking, loving kindness, and compassionate breathing.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Seeks to help individuals function better and improve symptoms by teaching various cognitive and behavioral skills to manage symptoms. It will use techniques such as relaxation training, engaging in pleasant activities, pacing yourself, and changing unhelpful ways of thinking.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VA Office of Research and Development

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Brandon C Yarns, MD MS BME · VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

95 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-10-01

Primary Completion

2027-09-30

Completion

2027-09-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations