Evaluating Single 90-Minute Sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy for Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating different single-session psychological therapies for people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain. This study compares three approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT, Pain Reprocessing Therapy PRT, and Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy EAET. These therapies focus on how thoughts, feelings, and brain processes influence pain, aiming to reduce or manage pain and improve functioning. The study will test which treatment works best and explore the specific ways each therapy may help. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one 90-minute remote session of CBT, PRT, or EAET, all delivered by doctoral students in clinical psychology. A fourth group will receive treatment as usual without additional psychological therapy. These single-session interventions emphasize different aspects of pain CBT targets changing thoughts and behaviors, PRT focuses on reducing fear of injury, and EAET addresses fear related to emotional stress. The treatments are compared against a control group over a one-month period. Participants will complete assessments of pain severity, pain interference, mood, and physical function before and after treatment, as well as at one week and one month follow-ups. Researchers will use questionnaires and rating scales to track changes in pain and emotional distress. The study aims to identify which therapy offers the most relief and understand the psychological processes behind pain improvement. Total participation involves one remote therapy session plus several brief assessments over four weeks.

Comparing Single-Session Therapies for Chronic Pain