Mobile Health Intervention for Pain

(PsyMINT Trial)

Overseen By Sun Jung Kim, Ph.D

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Must not be taking: Stimulants, Mood stabilizers

Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorders, Substance use, Pregnancy

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app designed to help cancer survivors manage pain and symptoms independently. The goal is to determine if the app effectively boosts confidence in handling pain after cancer treatment. Individuals who completed cancer treatment in the past three years, are currently cancer-free, and are experiencing related pain might be suitable candidates. Participants should not be on psychiatric medications or have certain mental health conditions.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance pain management for cancer survivors.

What prior data suggests that this mHealth intervention is safe for post-treatment cancer survivors?

Research shows that cancer survivors generally prefer using mobile health (mHealth) apps to manage their pain. A review found that many patients felt comfortable with these apps and considered them useful for tracking and managing pain. One study tested a mobile health program that combined pain management techniques with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and found the program practical and acceptable for users.

Although these studies don't specifically address safety, they demonstrate that patients found the mHealth tools easy to use and helpful. Since this trial is a pilot test to evaluate the approach's effectiveness, it suggests that any risks are likely small. Overall, users view mHealth apps for pain management positively, with no major safety concerns reported in the research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Mobile Health (mHealth) Intervention for pain management because it offers a fresh approach that leverages technology to deliver support directly to cancer survivors. Unlike traditional pain management options, which often involve medications or physical therapies, this intervention uses a series of tailored messages, ecological momentary assessments, and e-diary entries to engage patients over just one week. This method not only provides immediate, personalized support but also empowers patients to actively participate in managing their pain, potentially improving both their physical and emotional well-being.

What evidence suggests that this mHealth intervention is effective for pain management in post-treatment cancer survivors?

Research has shown that mobile health (mHealth) apps can help people manage pain and improve self-care. A review of several studies found that these app-based tools can lower pain levels and enhance users' quality of life. In 17 different studies, mHealth apps helped manage pain and support self-care. Other research suggests these tools can aid recovery for people with chronic pain, such as neck pain. While the effect on quality of life can vary, mHealth apps often make it easier for users to track and manage their symptoms effectively. Participants in this trial will receive a 1-week mHealth intervention specifically designed for cancer survivors experiencing pain. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sun Jung Kim, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for post-treatment cancer survivors who are experiencing chronic pain after surgery. It's aimed at helping those who may also have memory issues, like with Alzheimer's Disease, manage their symptoms better.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to read, write, and understand English

I was diagnosed with cancer within the last three years.

I am experiencing pain due to my cancer or its treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with major psychotic disorders (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia) and/or substance use disorders

Those who are currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next three months

I am currently taking medication for mental health reasons.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

mHealth Intervention

Participants receive a 1-week mHealth intervention using the PsyMINT app, which includes intervention messages, ecological momentary assessments (EMAs), and e-diary entries

1 week

Remote participation via app

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feasibility, acceptability, and self-efficacy for pain management after the intervention

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• mHealth Intervention

Trial Overview

The study is testing an mHealth app designed to help participants manage their pain and other symptoms by themselves. This pilot test will check how well the app works before it's used in a larger randomized controlled trial.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Mobile Health (mHealth) Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Implement a bank of 60 mHealth intervention messages, ecological momentary assessments (EMAs), and e-diary entries to PiLR to deliver a 1-week mHealth intervention to cancer survivors experiencing pain

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

732

Recruited

22,900,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9936365/

mHealth Intervention for Improving Pain, Quality of Life ...

A systematic review was conducted to analyze the effects of mHealth interventions on CP management, based on pain intensity, quality of life (QoL), and ...

2.

mhealth.jmir.org

mhealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e53652

Integrative Review - JMIR mHealth and uHealth

A total of 17 studies demonstrated the effectiveness of the mHealth app in supporting pain outcomes and self-management. Of the 9 studies ...

3.

journals.lww.com

journals.lww.com/painrpts/fulltext/2025/04000/efficacy_of_mobile_health_interventions_in_the.9.aspx

Efficacy of mobile health interventions in the conservative .. ...

mHealth interventions show potential in reducing pain and disability among patients with CLBP in LMICs, although with inconclusive impact on QoL.

4.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1524904225001286

Efficacy of mHealth in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

The results of this study suggest that mHealth-based interventions can positively affect the prognostic outcomes of patients with chronic neck pain.

5.

digitalcommons.unmc.edu

digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=mcgoogan_articles

Older Adults' Pain Outcomes After mHealth Interventions

The data included country, median or mean age, sample size, race or ethnicity, clinical pain diagnoses or conditions that were the subject of.

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12708573/

Cancer survivors' experiences with mHealth interventions ...

Addressing survivors' motivations, lived experiences, and practical barriers—through personalization, professional guidance, privacy-preserving ...

7.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04175639

mHealth Behavioral Cancer Pain Intervention for Medically ...

The long-term goal of this work is to use mHealth technologies to facilitate wide-spread implementation of an efficacious behavioral cancer pain intervention - ...

8.

ascopubs.org

ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/CCI.24.00014

Mapping the Evidence on the Impact of mHealth ...

This systematic review is centered on the impact of mHealth applications on patients with BC undergoing treatment or long-term survivors, with a ...

9.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12616478/

Pilot Testing of a Multi-Component Cancer Pain-CBT ...

We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention that integrates pain-CBT with ...