Actively Recruiting
Group-Based Psychological Treatments Over Video Conference for Older Veterans With Chronic Pain
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2025-09-22
216
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
208 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study is being performed to compare the effects of three types of group-based psychological treatments delivered over video telehealth for chronic musculoskeletal pain in older U.S. military Veterans. The three types of psychological treatments are: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), and Mindfulness Meditation (MM). In addition, the investigators will evaluate which patients respond best to each treatment and how each treatment works. The investigators are performing the study because chronic pain is a big problem among Veterans. Older Veterans are the focus because they have the highest rates of chronic pain, perhaps as high has 80%. The investigators are looking at psychological treatments because they are less risky than medications or procedures for older Veterans. Telehealth is an important aspect of the proposal, as delivery over telehealth could improve access to treatments. CBT is endorsed nationally by VA, but no standardized MM is available through VA, and only a few VA sites use EAET, which is a newer treatment focusing on how stress and emotions affect pain. The project aims to evaluate a standardized form of MM and the newer treatment, EAET, compared to the standard CBT used widely in VA.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Group-Based Psychological Treatments Over Video Conference for Older Veterans With Chronic Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Veterans
- Age 60 to 95 years
- Have musculoskeletal pain lasting at least 3 months, including back, neck, leg, pelvic pain, temporomandibular joint disorders, fibromyalgia, or tension headaches
- Average daily pain intensity of 4 or higher on a 0 to 10 scale
You will not qualify if you...
- Primary pain conditions likely to respond only to medication or surgery, such as hip or knee osteoarthritis, leg pain greater than back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, neuralgias, migraine, and cluster headaches
- Non-musculoskeletal pain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, cancer pain, sickle cell disease, burn pain, infection-related pain, and cauda equina syndrome
- Severe psychiatric disorders not controlled with medication, active suicide or violence risk, severe alcohol or substance use disorder
- Significant cognitive impairment or dementia (tMMSE score below 19)
- Prior completion of EAET, CBT-CP, or MM/MBSR treatments
- Currently enrolled in another psychological pain treatment
- Involved in pain-related litigation or compensation claims
- Unable to read or speak English fluently
- No home internet access
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA
West Los Angeles, California, United States, 90073-1003
Actively Recruiting
2
VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT
West Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06516-2770
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Karin C Liu, MPH
CONTACT
B
Brandon C Yarns, MD MS BME
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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