Walking Program vs Health Education for Chronic Pain
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that you either be free of psychotropic medication for at least 2 weeks before starting or be stable on your current medication for at least 6 weeks and willing to keep the dose stable.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment GetActive with Steps! and Healthy Living for Pain for chronic pain?
Research shows that walking programs, like the one in the study, can help people with chronic pain by increasing physical activity and improving pain levels. Additionally, mind-body skills such as mindfulness and pacing, which are part of similar programs, have been found to help increase activity levels in people with chronic pain.12345
Is the walking program safe for people with chronic pain?
How does the treatment 'GetActive with Steps!' differ from other treatments for chronic pain?
The 'GetActive with Steps!' treatment is unique because it combines a walking program with health education to manage chronic pain, promoting physical activity as a primary intervention. Unlike traditional treatments that may focus on rest, this approach encourages gradual increases in physical activity, which can improve overall physical and mental health.610111213
What is the purpose of this trial?
The investigators aim to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the feasibility of a mind-body walking program compared to a health education program for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The investigators will assess the feasibility of recruitment procedures (enrollment, recruitment of racial and ethnic minorities) and intervention delivery (fidelity, adherence, credibility, satisfaction, optimization), following pre-specified benchmarks. Both programs will be delivered in-person.
Research Team
Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
Principal Investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
Eligibility Criteria
Adults over 18 with chronic musculoskeletal pain, low activity levels, and the ability to walk can join this study. They must be fluent in English, own a smartphone or computer, and either not take psychotropic meds or have been stable on them for 6 weeks. Excluded are those with serious mental illness, substance abuse issues, regular mind-body practice users, severe medical conditions expected to worsen soon, suicidal thoughts or certain cognitive impairments.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants engage in a 10-week program, either the mind-body walking program or the health education program, with weekly in-person sessions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including a 6-month follow-up assessment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- GetActive with Steps!
- Healthy Living for Pain
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead Sponsor
Rush University Medical Center
Collaborator
Duke University
Collaborator
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Collaborator