EQUIPD Phase 2 Coaching and Decision Aid to Support Black Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Depression in Primary Care

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a coaching and decision aid intervention tailored to Black patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and depression. This phase 2 randomized controlled trial is part of the NIH HEAL initiative and aims to encourage the use and adherence to nonpharmacological pain treatments NPTs in an urban primary care setting. The study will compare the intervention to usual care among 304 patients over a five-year project period. Participants in the intervention group will receive four coaching sessions over approximately 12 weeks. These sessions use Motivational Interviewing to build openness and confidence toward NPTs by helping patients set goals, understand treatment options, and prepare to discuss these with their primary care providers PCPs. The first three sessions occur before the next PCP visit, and the final session happens afterward. The control group will receive usual care and assessments, then after their final assessment, they will be offered the decision aid and a single 20-minute coaching session. Throughout the study, participants will complete assessments at baseline, 3 months after the coaching sessions, and 6 months. Researchers will measure changes in pain interference using the Brief Pain Inventory, depression severity with the PHQ-8, and other outcomes such as anxiety, pain catastrophizing, use of nonpharmacological approaches, consumer engagement, and decisional conflict. The total participation duration spans about 6 months, with ongoing monitoring of these measures.

Equipping Patients Using Interventions for Pain and Depression