NCT07008105 · Mark A. Lumley
Comparing Single-Session Therapies for Chronic Pain
What this study is about
Many people in the US suffer from chronic pain. Often times, individuals who have chronic pain also feel depressed, anxious, or hopeless, which can worsen pain. Psychologists, therefore, have developed several treatments to help people with chronic pain. These psychological treatments differ.
View original scientific description
Many people in the US suffer from chronic pain. Often times, individuals who have chronic pain also feel depressed, anxious, or hopeless, which can worsen pain. Psychologists, therefore, have developed several treatments to help people with chronic pain. These psychological treatments differ. The most common treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for chronic pain, which helps patients better manage pain through changing thoughts and behaviors. Two newer, less common psychological therapies are Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). These therapies emphasize that chronic pain is mainly due to plastic processes of over-sensitization in the brain and nervous system, and that psychotherapies can significantly reduce or eliminate pain. Although similar, PRT and EAET stress different aspects of treatment. PRT emphasizes that one's fear of pain and bodily injury maintains the brain's sense of threat, thereby also maintaining the pain response; EAET emphasizes that one's conditioned psychological state of stress and tension maintains a sense of threat, thereby maintaining the pain response. These three treatments have yet to be compared; it is unclear which psychological processes are most important to treating chronic pain. There is growing interest in single-session psychotherapy interventions. Studies have shown that just a single session of CBT or EAET can help individuals reduce their pain. PRT has yet to be condensed to a single-session intervention. This study will compare a single session of CBT, PRT, and EAET with a no-treatment control group to test whether 1) one treatment outperforms the others, and 2) different mechanisms/ approaches matter to chronic pain treatment.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT endorses a pain management model and teaches people skills to cope with chronic pain through reframing thoughts and encouraging behavioral change.
BEHAVIORAL
Pain Reprocessing Therapy
PRT advocates a pain treatment model in which pain can be substantially reduced by helping people learn that their pain is brain-based and can be substantially reduced or eliminated by decreasing fear of pain and bodily injury and providing education on the neuroscience of pain.
BEHAVIORAL
Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy
EAET advocates a pain treatment model in which pain can be substantially reduced by helping people learn that their pain is brain-based and can be substantially reduced or eliminated by decreasing fear of pain and of various emotional/interpersonal problems.
Primary outcome measures
Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) - Pain Severity
Time frame: Baseline to 1-week post-treatment and 1-month follow-up
4-item measure of pain severity over past week (range 0 to 10; higher scores = worse pain severity)
Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Pain Interference - Short Form 8a
Time frame: Baseline to 1-week post-treatment and 1-month follow-up
8-item measure of pain interference over past week (range1 to 5; higher scores = more pain interference)
Pain Rating Question
Time frame: Immediately pre and immediately post-treatment
1-item pain rating developed by research team asking "Please rate your pain by circling the one number that tells how much pain you have right now". (0 = No pain, 10 = Pain as bad as you can imagine; higher = more pain)
Symptom Rating Question
Time frame: Immediately pre and immediately post-treatment
1 -item symptom rating developed by research team asking "Please rate your physical symptoms by circling the one number that tells how much physical symptoms you have right now". (0 = no symptoms; 10 = symptoms as bad as you can imagine; higher = more symptoms).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Pain for at least 3 months and experienced 4 or more days/week for the past 6 months
- Pain intensity last week is \>= 3 (0 to 10 rating scale)
- Pain interference last week is \>= 3 (0 to 10 rating scale)
- At least age 18
- Lives in United States
- Fluent in English
- Has personal computer/tablet and internet access
- Able to attend one 90-minute session
- Willing to be randomized
- Seeking to improve their pain-related status via a psychological therapy
Exclusion criteria
- Past 2 years (treated for or having experienced):
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Epilepsy/seizure disorder
- Autoimmune disease
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Substance dependence or use disorder
- Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Suicide attempt or suicide intention or impulse
- Major medical procedure scheduled within next 2 months
- Applied for/ litigating for pain-related disability/worker's compensation (past year).
- Major life event/stressor in past 6 months
- Cognitive impairment (screener score \<=4)
Where
- Chicago, Illinois
- Detroit, Michigan
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 15, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations