Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Post-Surgical Pain
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using illegal hard drugs, you cannot participate. Prescription medications containing similar compounds are allowed.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic post-surgical pain?
Research shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective for managing chronic pain by helping people improve their daily functioning and cope better with pain. ACT has been successfully used in both adults and adolescents with chronic pain, and digital versions of the therapy have made it more accessible.12345
Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) safe for humans?
How is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy different from other treatments for chronic post-surgical pain?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is unique because it focuses on helping patients accept their pain and commit to living a meaningful life despite it, rather than trying to eliminate the pain itself. This approach is different from traditional pain treatments that often focus on reducing or managing pain symptoms directly.12389
What is the purpose of this trial?
The current project will (1) enhance our understanding of the neurobiology of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP); (2) provide a metric to follow patients with CPSP in the clinic; (3) provide a metric for those who will chronify; and (4) understand the age-related differences in CPSP. Ultimately, an improved comprehension of mechanisms linked to CPSP will provide finer tools for optimizing the selection of treatments for individual patients. Moreover, data that demonstrates the underlying pathobiological pain mechanism(s) active in CPSP, particularly those non-responsive to current therapies, may be used to validate novel strategies both pharmacological and non-pharmacological.
Research Team
Christine B. Sieberg
Principal Investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for males and females aged 12 or older who have had surgery at least 6 months ago and are experiencing chronic pain that has lasted for more than 3 months post-surgery. Participants must be able to communicate in English or a language the research team can interpret. Those with severe cognitive impairments, significant psychiatric disorders, or illegal hard drug use are excluded.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo a one-day (5 hours) group workshop based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and a one-month post workshop zoom individual booster session
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in brain function and pain acceptance using fNIRS and CPAQ-R over a long-term period
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead Sponsor
Boston Children's Hospital
Lead Sponsor