Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain: Rationale, Principles and Techniques, Evidence, and Critical Review.
Mark A Lumley, Howard Schubiner
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31123837/Actively Recruiting
Led by Seattle Children's Hospital · Updated on 2025-11-18
40
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
1 weeks
Total Duration
Researchers are evaluating the Concussion Recovery and Support Program CRISP, a new approach adapted from Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy EAET, for young adults aged 18 to 29 with persistent concussion or mild traumatic brain injury mTBI who experience headaches. This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of CRISP in improving symptoms and function related to concussion. The study compares two groups one receiving the CRISP intervention and the other receiving treatment as usual. CRISP involves six 60-minute sessions delivered remotely via Zoom over a 10-week period. The therapy focuses on addressing emotional responses that may contribute to ongoing symptoms after concussion. Participants will complete surveys at the start, 5 weeks, and 10 weeks to track changes in headache impact, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and concussion symptoms. Researchers will also assess treatment acceptability and psychological insight at 10 weeks. The study is led by Seattle Childrens Hospital and lasts approximately 10 weeks for each participant.
CONDITIONS
Concussion Recovery and Support Program
S
Sara PD Chrisman, MD MPH
A
Allina Flaat, MPH
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Seattle Children's Hospital
Lead 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 | CRISP (Concussion Recovery and Support Program) | Treatment as Usual (TAU) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A mental health therapy program designed to address suppressed emotion and support recovery for young adults experiencing headache following a concussion. | Participants continue with standard care for post-concussion headache, without the additional CRISP program. |
| Role in the trial | Assessed as the experimental intervention intended to improve outcomes related to headache and concussion recovery. | Used as the comparator group to evaluate the effects of the CRISP program. |
| Primary use | Designed to help participants process emotions and promote recovery from headaches and other symptoms following a mild traumatic brain injury. | Provides regular medical care or management participants would otherwise receive for post-concussion headache. |
| How it is given or performed | Delivered as a structured behavioral program focusing on emotional awareness and expression, with sessions scheduled over the course of the study. | Participants continue any typical care for post-concussion headache as provided outside of this study protocol. |
| Evidence status | CRISP is being evaluated prospectively in this trial for its impact on headache recovery and related outcomes in young adults with concussion. | Usual care management does not routinely include structured emotion-processing therapy and outcomes may vary depending on typical approaches for post-concussion headache. |
| Important limitations | CRISP is specific to this trial and evidence for its impact in concussion recovery is pending. Effectiveness beyond the study has not yet been established. | Treatment as usual may not systematically address emotional processing, which could play a role in persistent symptoms. There is variability in care practices. |
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 virtual) for eligibility assessment
Duration - 10 weeks
Participants complete 6 sessions of the CRISP behavioral intervention targeting emotional responses related to concussion symptoms, delivered over Zoom.
6 sessions over 10 weeks (virtual)
Duration - 10 weeks
Participants assigned to treatment as usual without intervention are observed for comparison.
No scheduled intervention visits
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Mark A Lumley, Howard Schubiner
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31123837/Seattle Children's Hospital
Lead Sponsor