Psychosocial Education for Chronic Pain

Not currently recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Hee jun Kim, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: George Washington University

Disqualifiers: Malignant pain, Cognitive impairment, Psychological disturbance, Substance abuse, Low literacy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 10 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new method to help Korean Americans manage chronic pain through a culturally tailored program. It aims to address health inequalities by testing an educational approach that combines cultural understanding with pain management techniques. Adapted from the Learn About My Pain (LAMP) initiative, the program teaches participants about chronic pain and effective management strategies. Those who have experienced non-cancerous pain most days for at least three months and are foreign-born Korean Americans may be suitable for this study. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could lead to more effective, culturally tailored pain management strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot participate if you are undergoing other psychosocial treatment for pain.

What prior data suggests that this psychosocial education intervention is safe?

Research has shown that personalized educational programs for mental and social well-being are generally easy for people to handle. Studies have examined the practicality and acceptability of these programs, which aim to help individuals manage chronic pain without medication. The "Learn About My Pain" (LAMP) program, on which this trial is based, has already succeeded in helping people from diverse backgrounds cope with chronic pain. Participants have not reported any serious unexpected negative reactions, suggesting that the program is safe to try. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike typical treatments for chronic pain, which often include medications like NSAIDs, opioids, and antidepressants, the tailored psychosocial education intervention is unique because it focuses on a culturally-integrated educational approach to pain management. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it adapts the Learn About My Pain (LAMP) program to address the specific needs of racialized groups, which is not commonly done in standard pain management. This intervention provides biopsychosocial education sessions, aiming to reduce chronic pain intensity and interference by addressing psychological and social factors, offering a more holistic approach to pain management.

What evidence suggests that this psychosocial education intervention is effective for chronic pain?

Research has shown that the Learn About My Pain (LAMP) program, a special educational approach, reduces chronic pain, its impact on daily life, and excessive worry about pain in various adult groups. Studies indicate that programs like LAMP can also boost mental well-being, aiding people in managing their pain more effectively. This trial will provide participants with an adapted and culturally-integrated version of the LAMP program, designed to be more accessible and relevant for underrepresented groups, such as Asian Americans, who might face cultural challenges in seeking pain relief. Overall, these educational sessions offer valuable insights into chronic pain and its management, potentially helping participants feel less pain and enjoy a better quality of life. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Asian Americans experiencing chronic pain, who may face barriers to treatment due to cultural norms or social isolation. It aims to address the lack of research and support for this underrepresented group in managing their pain.

Inclusion Criteria

I am either female or male.

Self-reported foreign born Korean Americans

I have experienced pain most days for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria

I have pain due to cancer or HIV.

I am an adult seeking chronic pain management.

Having current, uncontrolled serious psychological disturbance (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) or active substance abuse based on self-report

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a culturally adapted psychosocial educational program for chronic pain management over 10 weeks

10 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks

Follow-up assessments at 12 weeks post-intervention

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Tailored Psychosocial Education Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a culturally-tailored psychosocial education intervention designed specifically for Asian Americans. The goal is to see if this approach can be both practical and well-received within the community.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Adapted and culturally-integrated psychosocial education intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive the culturally adapted psychosocial educational program for chronic pain management. The investigators will adapt the Learn About My Pain (LAMP) program that has previously been established for efficacy in reducing chronic pain intensity, pain interference, and pain catastrophizing in racialized groups in community settings. The LAMP intervention provides biopsychosocial education sessions about chronic pain and its management.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

George Washington University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

263

Recruited

476,000+

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

Collaborator

Trials

623

Recruited

10,400,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A systematic review of nine studies on educational interventions for chronic pain found that education alone does not significantly reduce pain or disability in adults, with pooled data showing no improvement compared to usual care.

The only positive outcome was observed with pain neurophysiology education (PNE), which showed a decrease in disability and improved knowledge about pain, but the evidence is not strong enough to recommend PNE as a standalone treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of education to facilitate knowledge about chronic pain for adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Geneen, LJ., Martin, DJ., Adams, N., et al.[2022]

The Learning About My Pain study is a significant trial involving 294 participants that aims to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral and educational pain interventions against usual care for chronic pain management.

This study is one of the first funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, emphasizing low-risk psychosocial treatments that may provide benefits without the undesirable side effects associated with medical pain treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Learning About My Pain study protocol: Reducing disparities with literacy-adapted psychosocial treatments for chronic pain, a comparative behavioral trial. Eyer, JC., Thorn, BE.[2018]

The biopsychosocial approach is effective for managing chronic pain by integrating education, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques, helping patients control their thoughts and emotions related to pain.

This approach not only addresses the psychological and social factors of pain but also complements traditional medical care, making it a comprehensive treatment strategy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial therapies for neck pain. Victor, L., Richeimer, SM.[2019]

Education about the benign and multifactorial nature of chronic non-specific low back pain is crucial, as it can help patients adopt better coping strategies and improve their pain management.

The development of an educational tool for patients in Primary Care physiotherapy is essential to address psychosocial factors and enhance the effectiveness of physical exercise in managing low back pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Design of an educational tool for Primary Care patients with chronic non-specific low back pain]. Díaz-Cerrillo, JL., Rondón-Ramos, A.[2021]

A study involving 219 veterans over 12 weeks showed high satisfaction with the 'Pain Education School' program, with participants reporting that the information was new, useful, and easy to understand.

Participants felt empowered to use the information learned in the program and were likely to recommend it to others, indicating its effectiveness in educating patients about managing chronic pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mixed-method approach to veteran satisfaction with pain education. Watson, EC., Cosio, D., Lin, EH.[2014]

A qualitative study involving 15 adult patients revealed that while participants found a pain science educational video helpful for understanding their pain and facilitating communication with healthcare providers, it often left them with unanswered questions.

Participants experienced a range of emotional responses to the video, highlighting the importance of personal relevance and validation of their pain, suggesting that future pain education should address these emotional aspects more effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perspectives of patients with chronic pain about a pain science education video. Dannecker, EA., Royse, LA., Vilceanu, D., et al.[2022]

A survey of 97 participants who improved after pain science education revealed that understanding pain as not necessarily indicating bodily damage is crucial for recovery.

Participants valued recognizing the multifactorial influences on pain, including thoughts and emotions, and the ability to retrain their pain response, highlighting the need for patient-centered language in pain education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What do patients value learning about pain? A mixed-methods survey on the relevance of target concepts after pain science education. Leake, HB., Moseley, GL., Stanton, TR., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06725329

Developing a Tailored Psychosocial Education Intervention ... The original intervention (LAMP) trial has established for efficacy in reducing chronic pain outcomes in adult population. Children are not our target ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10870281

RePORT RePORTER Our exploratory, developmental study will provide evidence of feasibility and acceptability of a tailored psychosocial education intervention to reduce pain ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/psychosocial-education-for-chronic-pain-de8af

Psychosocial Education for Chronic Pain This N/A medical study run by George Washington University is evaluating whether Tailored Psychosocial Education Intervention will have tolerable side ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/9/1135

Integrated Approach to Chronic Pain—The Role of ... Research shows that psychosocial interventions could contribute to improved psychological well-being, also resulting in an improvement in the patient's self- ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526590021002133

The Effect of Literacy-Adapted Psychosocial Treatments on ... This article presents the potential benefits of providing literacy-adapted psychosocial treatments to expand pain conceptualization beyond a biomedical-only ...

6. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/k2wYS2vOpkaiEtlALQQ4xw/project-details/10870281

Project Details Our exploratory, developmental study will provide evidence of feasibility and acceptability of a tailored psychosocial education intervention to reduce pain ...

7. jospt.org jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2025.12777

Are Tailored Interventions to Modifiable Psychosocial Risk ... Note that the “psychological factors and interventions” concept used the Boolean operator "OR" to capture less common psychosocial risk factors.