Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder

Overseen By Sana Shaikh

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune disease, Spinal cord injury, Cancer, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 10 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a group therapy called Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) to determine if it helps individuals with chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) manage their symptoms more effectively. The goal is to reduce pain and issues like depression and anxiety by teaching useful emotional strategies. Individuals with widespread pain and mild to moderate OUD who can join online sessions might be suitable candidates.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy methods that could enhance quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on behavioral treatment for chronic pain and opioid use disorder, so it's best to ask the study team for more details.

What prior data suggests that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy is safe for adults with chronic pain and opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) could be a helpful treatment for long-term pain. EAET helps people address emotional issues that might be linked to their pain. In earlier studies, most participants found EAET manageable. One small study even found it had a significant positive impact on pain and emotional health.

These studies found no major safety problems, suggesting that EAET is safe for people with chronic pain. However, because EAET is a newer therapy, more research is needed to confirm its safety for everyone. Overall, current evidence suggests that EAET is a safe option for managing chronic pain and related issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) because it offers a novel approach to addressing chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medication to manage pain and reduce opioid dependency, EAET focuses on helping individuals recognize and express their emotions, which can be a root cause of their pain. This therapy emphasizes psychological and emotional healing over pharmacological intervention, potentially reducing reliance on opioids and addressing pain at its emotional source. By providing a non-drug alternative, EAET could transform how we treat these interconnected conditions, offering hope for improved quality of life without the side effects associated with medication.

What evidence suggests that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy might be an effective treatment for chronic pain and opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), the treatment under study in this trial, can help reduce long-term pain. Studies have found that EAET aids individuals in managing emotions related to trauma and conflict, leading to less pain and fewer disruptions in daily life. In some cases, EAET proved more effective than Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in reducing pain for older adults. Although EAET might not immediately improve anxiety or depression, it still offers significant pain relief. Overall, evidence supports EAET as a promising treatment for those with chronic pain and possibly opioid use disorder. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

John Sturgeon, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with chronic pain who also struggle with opioid use disorder. Participants should be looking to learn strategies to manage pain, reduce disability, and cope with associated issues like depression and anxiety.

Inclusion Criteria

Have Internet access and audio-visual conferencing capability in the home (e.g., Zoom meetings by phone or computer)

I experience widespread pain and struggle with opioid addiction.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently in therapy for pain management.

Open litigation regarding chronic pain in the past 1 year, as assessed in preliminary study screening

I am able to understand and agree to the study's requirements.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) in group sessions via Zoom to address chronic pain and opioid use disorder

10 weeks

Weekly group sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain intensity and opioid use disorder symptoms

12 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)

Trial Overview

The study tests a group-based Zoom therapy called Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) designed to help participants handle the challenges of chronic pain and opioid dependency more effectively.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Adults with chronic pain and mild to moderate opioid use disorder (OUD).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Emotion regulation group therapy (ERGT) significantly improved marital satisfaction and reduced craving in patients with substance use disorders, as shown by increased scores in the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and decreased scores in the Craving Beliefs Questionnaire after treatment.

The study involved 30 patients and demonstrated that ERGT enhanced emotional regulation skills, leading to better overall emotional management compared to the treatment as usual (TAU) group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Group Therapy on Craving, Emotion Problems, and Marital Satisfaction in Patients with Substance Use Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Zargar, F., Bagheri, N., Tarrahi, MJ., et al.[2020]

In a study of 30 participants undergoing methadone maintenance therapy for opioid use disorder and chronic pain, those who received Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) showed significantly greater improvements in opioid craving, pain, and positive affect compared to those receiving standard treatment.

Participants in the MORE group reported nearly 1.3 times greater self-control over their cravings, and a stronger link was found between positive affect and reduced craving, suggesting that MORE could be an effective non-drug addition to traditional opioid treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement reduces opioid craving among individuals with opioid use disorder and chronic pain in medication assisted treatment: Ecological momentary assessments from a stage 1 randomized controlled trial. Garland, EL., Hanley, AW., Kline, A., et al.[2020]

Citations

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clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06865560

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic ...

The study is intended to test whether a group-based Zoom behavioral treatment can help adults with chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) learn effective ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11911693/

Emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) for ...

EAET is a newly developed psychological intervention designed to treat chronic pain by helping patients process psychological trauma and conflict to reduce ...

3.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-chronic-pain-2-2025-c4871

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic ...

This suggests that EAET, which also focuses on emotions, might be effective for chronic pain and opioid use disorder.

4.

jamanetwork.com

jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2819961

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy vs CBT for ...

These findings support the superiority of EAET compared with CBT in reducing chronic pain among older veterans.

5.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7309024/

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain

EAET reliably reduces pain and interference, although improvements in anxiety and depression are less reliably achieved and may be delayed.

6.

trialx.com

trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/321794/emotional-awareness-and-expression-therapy-for-chronic-pain-and-opioid-use-disorder/

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic ...

The study is intended to test whether a group-based Zoom behavioral treatment can help adults with chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) learn effective ...

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1064748124000460

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Older ...

Two preliminary trials showed large-to-very-large benefits, including one small randomized clinical trial that showed a significant, large effect size advantage ...