Remote Behavioral Program to Help Older Veterans Manage Musculoskeletal Pain and Depression

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness, implementation, and cost of MOTIVATE, a behavioral program designed for older Veterans experiencing chronic musculoskeletal MSK pain alongside depressive symptoms. The study focuses on improving patient-centered outcomes in this group through a randomized controlled trial conducted at two large VA facilities. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive MOTIVATE, which includes 8 individual sessions delivered via telephone by trained health coaches using motivational interviewing, values elicitation, and physical activity goal setting. The control group will continue with their usual care for MSK pain and depression and will be offered the MOTIVATE program after completing all outcome assessments. All participants will complete several assessments at different times before the study begins, at baseline, midpoint around 5 weeks, end of the intervention around 3 months, and a follow-up at 6 months. These assessments include measures of pain interference, depressive symptoms, arthritis self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, psychological resilience, pain behavior, quality of life, social functioning, sleep disturbance, insomnia severity, global impression of change, frailty, anxiety, and therapeutic alliance. The main outcome being measured is pain interference three months after starting or completing MOTIVATE. The study participation lasts up to six months with ongoing evaluations for safety and progress.

MOTIVATE to Improve Outcomes for Older Veterans With Musculoskeletal Pain and Depression