Actively Recruiting
Led by Stanford University · Updated on 2026-05-11
1650
Participants Needed
5
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
S
Stanford University
Lead Sponsor
P
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Collaborating Sponsor
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
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Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
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
Total: 5 locations
1
Phoenix VA Health Care System
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85012
Not Yet Recruiting
2
SCAN Health Plan
Long Beach, California, United States, 90806
Actively Recruiting
3
Humana
Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202
Not Yet Recruiting
4
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, 18103
Actively Recruiting
5
Intermountain Healthcare
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84103
Actively Recruiting
E
Emma A Adair, BS
C
Corinne Jung, PhD
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