Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Fibromyalgia in Lupus
(EAET Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) can reduce widespread pain in people with lupus. Researchers seek to assess the therapy's safety, patient completion rates, and its effects on chronic pain and other symptoms. Participants will either engage in the therapy via Zoom or continue their usual medical treatment for comparison. This trial is suitable for individuals diagnosed with both lupus and fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain, who maintain a steady medication routine. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to explore a new therapeutic approach that could potentially enhance their quality of life.
What prior data suggests that this psychotherapy treatment is safe for lupus patients?
Research has shown that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that EAET can help reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia, which resemble those experienced by lupus patients. In these studies, EAET led to fewer fibromyalgia symptoms and improved physical functioning.
Most participants did not report serious side effects. The therapy primarily involves discussing emotions and experiences in a safe setting, making it less likely to cause harm compared to medication-based treatments. Although only a small number of patients reported a significant reduction in symptoms, the overall safety of EAET remains positive.
EAET includes activities like sharing emotions and role-playing to aid participants. These methods focus on understanding and expressing feelings, which can help manage chronic pain. Conducted via video, the therapy sessions are convenient and easy to access, contributing to their safety and ease of use.
In summary, EAET has been safe for fibromyalgia patients and may offer similar benefits for lupus patients with fibromyalgia symptoms.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) for fibromyalgia in lupus because it offers a unique approach by focusing on emotional health, which isn't typically addressed in standard treatments like pain relievers, antidepressants, or cognitive-behavioral therapy. EAET is delivered through video telemedicine in small groups, making it accessible and convenient. This therapy encourages participants to explore and express suppressed emotions through engaging activities like role-playing and expressive writing, which could potentially lead to improved emotional well-being and reduced pain.
What evidence suggests that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy is effective for relieving pain in lupus patients?
Research has shown that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia, a condition often seen in lupus patients. One study found that EAET significantly reduced pain more than Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with participants in the EAET group experiencing a much larger drop in pain levels. Another study found that 35% of patients had at least a 50% reduction in pain after EAET, compared to only 7% in another group. These findings suggest that EAET might be useful for managing chronic pain and other symptoms in lupus patients.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Dan Kaufmann, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Utah
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for lupus patients who also suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Participants should be willing to attend 8 weekly psychotherapy sessions via Zoom and complete questionnaires before and after treatment. There's no mention of specific exclusion criteria provided.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) via telemedicine in small groups for eight weekly sessions, 2 hours per session.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in symptoms, quality of life, and other health measures after treatment.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)
Trial Overview
Researchers are testing Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) to see if it can safely reduce widespread pain in lupus patients, compared to a control group not receiving the therapy but continuing their usual medical treatment.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
The treatment will be will be conducted via video telemedicine (HIPAA-compliant Zoom), in small groups of patients, for eight weekly sessions, 2 hours per session. Each session will use an educational lecture, discussion, in-class experiential exercises, and homework assignments. During sessions, participants will be encouraged to identify their stressors and experience, and to express their avoided or suppressed emotions, using exercises such as emotional disclosure, role-playing, and the "empty chair" technique. Participants will be given homework assignments to complete between sessions, including expressive writing, identifying stressors and avoided emotions, and practicing healthy communication skills.
Participants assigned to the waitlist control condition will be assessed at baseline and at a time matched to EAET post-treatment. All interested participants will be offered the opportunity to receive the EAET treatment once their WL period is completed. Those who opt to receive the treatment will be required to complete another set of assessments again post-treatment.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Utah
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Helping Lupus Patients Manage Fibromyalgia Symptoms ...
EAET helps people understand and express emotions related to difficult past experiences, which may reduce physical pain and improve overall ...
Emotional awareness and expression therapy, cognitive ...
EAET did not differ from CBT on the primary or most secondary outcomes, but compared to CBT, EAET led to significantly lower FM symptoms (d = 0.35) and ...
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy vs ...
The EAET was superior to CBT for the primary outcome of reduction in pain severity at posttreatment (estimate, −1.59 [95% CI, −2.35 to −0.83]; P ...
Internet-delivered emotional awareness and expression ...
Response rates (at least 50% symptom reduction) at 12-month follow-up were 25% for somatic symptoms, and 12% for pain intensity. Conclusion: I- ...
5.
rheumatologyadvisor.com
rheumatologyadvisor.com/news/emotional-awareness-and-expression-therapy-beneficial-for-pain-relief/Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy Beneficial ...
Furthermore, at posttreatment, EAET was found to be superior for 50 percent pain reduction (35 versus 7 percent; odds ratio, 11.77), anxiety, ...
Internet-based emotional awareness and expression ...
Primary outcomes were reductions of somatic symptoms (PHQ-15) and pain intensity (BPI-4) at post-treatment, with a 4-month evaluation of effect duration. We ...
Internet-Administered Emotional Awareness and ...
(22) found that only 13.3% of patients received a 50% symptom reduction at the end of treatment, whereas it was observed for 23.1% of the ...
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy
EAET was seen to have much better outcomes than fibromyalgia education in general symptom management, widespread pain, physical functioning, cognitive ...
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