Psychosocial Education for Chronic Pain

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Hee jun Kim, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: George Washington University

Disqualifiers: Malignant pain, Cognitive impairment, Psychological disturbance, Substance abuse, Low literacy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 10 weeks

45 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot participate if you are undergoing other psychosocial treatment for pain.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Tailored Psychosocial Education Intervention for chronic pain?

Research shows that psychoeducational programs can help reduce pain intensity, disability, and depressive symptoms in people with chronic pain. Additionally, patients value learning about how thoughts, emotions, and experiences affect pain, which is a key part of pain education interventions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is psychosocial education for chronic pain safe for humans?

Psychosocial treatments for chronic pain, like the Learning About My Pain study, are considered low-risk and offer benefits without the undesirable side effects often associated with medical pain treatments. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How is the Tailored Psychosocial Education Intervention treatment for chronic pain different from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on educating patients about the psychological and social factors that influence chronic pain, helping them understand and manage their pain better through a biopsychosocial approach, which combines education, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and relaxation techniques. ^{10 11 12 13 14}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Health inequalities in chronic pain exists in the US, with a greater burden of chronic pain and higher rate of misdiagnosis and undertreatment reported in minoritized groups compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Asian Americans (AA) are the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the US, yet despite the rapid growth in their numbers, AA remain under-represented in pain disparity research. Cultural norms of Asians may discourage reporting their pain to avoid burdening others or being seen as weak. Rather than seeking medical assistance, Asians have been reported to tend to accept the pain as natural or to suffer to maintain their independence. Very few evidence-based programs are available that can be implemented for this linguistically/socially isolated population in the US. This proposed study aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in pain disparity research by providing evidence of feasibility and acceptability of a culturally-tailored psychosocial pain education intervention for an underrepresented population using the KA community as an exemplar.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Asian Americans experiencing chronic pain, who may face barriers to treatment due to cultural norms or social isolation. It aims to address the lack of research and support for this underrepresented group in managing their pain.

Inclusion Criteria

I am either female or male.

Self-reported foreign born Korean Americans

I have experienced pain most days for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria

I have pain due to cancer or HIV.

Having current, uncontrolled serious psychological disturbance (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) or active substance abuse based on self-report

I am an adult seeking chronic pain management.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a culturally adapted psychosocial educational program for chronic pain management over 10 weeks

10 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks

Follow-up assessments at 12 weeks post-intervention

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Tailored Psychosocial Education Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a culturally-tailored psychosocial education intervention designed specifically for Asian Americans. The goal is to see if this approach can be both practical and well-received within the community.

Participant Groups

Group I: Adapted and culturally-integrated psychosocial education intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive the culturally adapted psychosocial educational program for chronic pain management. The investigators will adapt the Learn About My Pain (LAMP) program that has previously been established for efficacy in reducing chronic pain intensity, pain interference, and pain catastrophizing in racialized groups in community settings. The LAMP intervention provides biopsychosocial education sessions about chronic pain and its management.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

George Washington University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

263

Recruited

476,000+

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

Collaborator

Trials

623

Recruited

10,400,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Findings from Research

A study involving 219 veterans over 12 weeks showed high satisfaction with the 'Pain Education School' program, with participants reporting that the information was new, useful, and easy to understand.

Participants felt empowered to use the information learned in the program and were likely to recommend it to others, indicating its effectiveness in educating patients about managing chronic pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mixed-method approach to veteran satisfaction with pain education. Watson, EC., Cosio, D., Lin, EH.[2014]

A qualitative study involving 15 adult patients revealed that while participants found a pain science educational video helpful for understanding their pain and facilitating communication with healthcare providers, it often left them with unanswered questions.

Participants experienced a range of emotional responses to the video, highlighting the importance of personal relevance and validation of their pain, suggesting that future pain education should address these emotional aspects more effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perspectives of patients with chronic pain about a pain science education video. Dannecker, EA., Royse, LA., Vilceanu, D., et al.[2022]

A survey of 97 participants who improved after pain science education revealed that understanding pain as not necessarily indicating bodily damage is crucial for recovery.

Participants valued recognizing the multifactorial influences on pain, including thoughts and emotions, and the ability to retrain their pain response, highlighting the need for patient-centered language in pain education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What do patients value learning about pain? A mixed-methods survey on the relevance of target concepts after pain science education. Leake, HB., Moseley, GL., Stanton, TR., et al.[2023]

The Learning About My Pain study is a significant trial involving 294 participants that aims to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral and educational pain interventions against usual care for chronic pain management.

This study is one of the first funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, emphasizing low-risk psychosocial treatments that may provide benefits without the undesirable side effects associated with medical pain treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Learning About My Pain study protocol: Reducing disparities with literacy-adapted psychosocial treatments for chronic pain, a comparative behavioral trial. Eyer, JC., Thorn, BE.[2018]

A systematic review of nine studies on educational interventions for chronic pain found that education alone does not significantly reduce pain or disability in adults, with pooled data showing no improvement compared to usual care.

The only positive outcome was observed with pain neurophysiology education (PNE), which showed a decrease in disability and improved knowledge about pain, but the evidence is not strong enough to recommend PNE as a standalone treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of education to facilitate knowledge about chronic pain for adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Geneen, LJ., Martin, DJ., Adams, N., et al.[2022]

Education about the benign and multifactorial nature of chronic non-specific low back pain is crucial, as it can help patients adopt better coping strategies and improve their pain management.

The development of an educational tool for patients in Primary Care physiotherapy is essential to address psychosocial factors and enhance the effectiveness of physical exercise in managing low back pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Design of an educational tool for Primary Care patients with chronic non-specific low back pain]. Díaz-Cerrillo, JL., Rondón-Ramos, A.[2021]

The biopsychosocial approach is effective for managing chronic pain by integrating education, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques, helping patients control their thoughts and emotions related to pain.

This approach not only addresses the psychological and social factors of pain but also complements traditional medical care, making it a comprehensive treatment strategy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial therapies for neck pain. Victor, L., Richeimer, SM.[2019]

References

1. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a psychoeducational program for chronic pain management. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparative study of cognitive behavioural therapy and shared reading for chronic pain. [2018]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mixed-method approach to veteran satisfaction with pain education. [2014]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perspectives of patients with chronic pain about a pain science education video. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What do patients value learning about pain? A mixed-methods survey on the relevance of target concepts after pain science education. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Learning About My Pain study protocol: Reducing disparities with literacy-adapted psychosocial treatments for chronic pain, a comparative behavioral trial. [2018]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of education to facilitate knowledge about chronic pain for adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparing patients' and clinician-researchers' outcome choice for psychological treatment of chronic pain. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Key Learning Statements for Persistent Pain Education: An Iterative Analysis of Consumer, Clinician and Researcher Perspectives and Development of Public Messaging. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial approaches to pain management: an organizational framework. [2022]

11. Spain pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Design of an educational tool for Primary Care patients with chronic non-specific low back pain]. [2021]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does teaching physical therapists to deliver a biopsychosocial treatment program result in better patient outcomes? A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial therapies for neck pain. [2019]

14. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Teaching about chronic pain in psychosomatics courses - an overview of the situation in Germany and the Tübingen Model]. [2018]