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Led by Stanford University · Updated on 2026-05-11
1650
Participants Needed
5
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
Researchers are comparing the effectiveness of two online treatments for chronic pain an 8-session cognitive behavioral therapy CBT program lasting sixteen hours in total, and a shorter, 1-session pain relief skills intervention called Empowered Relief, lasting two hours. This pragmatic clinical trial aims to find out which treatment works best for patients living with various chronic pain conditions. The study hopes to improve access to evidence-based behavioral pain treatments across the U.S. and help patients and doctors make better-informed decisions about pain care. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the 8-session CBT delivered by a trained psychologist or the 1-session Empowered Relief program led by a certified instructor. Both treatments are provided online in group formats. The study includes diverse groups such as adults with lupus and chronic pain, chronic pelvic pain, young adults aged 18-23 with chronic pain, and a large general chronic pain sample. Treatments are designed to be low-cost, low-risk, and widely accessible. During the study, participants will be assessed through a series of questionnaires measuring pain intensity and interference at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Additional assessments include sleep disturbance, pain bothersomeness, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, fatigue, anger, and satisfaction with social roles. Researchers will also monitor participants impressions of change. The total study participation extends up to six months with regular follow-up to evaluate treatment outcomes.
CONDITIONS
Comparative Effectiveness of Online 8-session CBT vs. 1-Session Empowered Relief for Chronic Pain - The PROGRESS Study
E
Emma A Adair, BS
C
Corinne Jung, PhD
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Stanford University
Lead Sponsor
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Collaborating Sponsor
This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.
| Factors | 8‑session online CBT | 1‑session online Empowered Relief | Empowered Relief (prior evidence) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | An online cognitive behavioral therapy program delivered in eight low‑literacy sessions over the study period. | A single 2‑hour pain relief skills session delivered online (Empowered Relief). | An evidence‑based single‑session pain skills class previously shown to achieve outcomes similar to 8‑session CBT in adults with chronic low back pain. |
| Role in the trial | Participants are randomized to receive eight sessions of CBT online. | Participants are randomized to receive one session of Empowered Relief online. | Serves as context for understanding comparator based on prior published outcomes. |
| Primary use | Delivered as a behavioral pain management program requiring eight sessions. | Delivered as a brief, single‑session behavioral pain management class. | Used elsewhere as a scalable behavioral option when full CBT may be inaccessible. |
| How it is provided | Online delivery over eight group sessions using low‑literacy CBT protocol. | Delivered online in one group session of about 2 hours by a certified instructor. | Previously delivered in group format, matching structure to CBT session length only in comparator studies. |
| Evidence status | Effectiveness under investigation in this study; established CBT efficacy in chronic pain generally. | Under investigation in this study; prior RCT showed non‑inferior outcomes to CBT at six months in chronic low back pain. | Prior evidence supports similar pain and psychological outcomes compared to standard CBT. |
| Important limitations | Requires commitment to eight sessions, which may limit accessibility for some individuals. | Single session may offer less opportunity for skill reinforcement compared to longer CBT. | Evidence is limited to chronic low back pain; generalizability to other chronic pain types is not fully established. |
Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.
You may qualify if you...
You will not qualify if you...
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or online) to assess eligibility
Duration - 8 weeks for CBT or 1 session for Empowered Relief
Participants receive either 8 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or 1 session of pain relief skills (Empowered Relief) delivered online in groups, depending on their randomized treatment assignment.
8 weekly sessions for CBT or 1 session for Empowered Relief (all online)
Duration - 6 months
Participants complete assessments of pain intensity, pain interference, sleep disturbance, and other outcomes up to 6 months after treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.
Assessments at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after treatment
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
4
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Emma Adair Monson, Aram Mardian, Kartikeya Saxena...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41712512/Stanford University
Lead Sponsor
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Collaborating Sponsor
