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

Recruiting in Ann Arbor (>99 mi)

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

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) for chronic pain and opioid use disorder?

Research on similar therapies, like emotion regulation therapy, shows they can help reduce cravings and improve emotional control in people with substance use disorders. This suggests that EAET, which also focuses on emotions, might be effective for chronic pain and opioid use disorder. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) different from other treatments for chronic pain and opioid use disorder?

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) is unique because it focuses on helping individuals recognize and express their emotions, which can be particularly beneficial for those with chronic pain and opioid use disorder. This approach is different from other treatments that may focus more on medication or behavioral strategies, as it directly addresses emotional processing and expression to improve psychological and physical health outcomes. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

What is the purpose of this trial?

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 strategies for reducing pain, disability and other problems that can come with these conditions (such as depression, anxiety, and difficulty managing emotions).

Research Team

John Sturgeon, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

References

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

Investigating the Feasibility of Brief Compassion Focused Therapy in Individuals in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. [2020]

2. Ireland 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. [2020]

3. Iran 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. [2020]

4. Iran pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of emotion regulation training and cognitive therapy on the emotional and addictional problems of substance abusers. [2022]

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

Psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy of substance abuse (with observations on the Penn-VA Study). [2013]

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

Supportive-Expressive Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. [2021]

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

Emotion regulation as a transdiagnostic factor underlying co-occurring chronic pain and problematic opioid use. [2021]