Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Pain Reprocessing Therapy for Veterans With Chronic Neck/Back Pain

University of Colorado, Denver46 enrolled

Overview

The investigators are conducting a trial that evaluates the feasibility of telehealth group pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), with no comparison group, for the treatment of chronic back pain in a population of veterans. PRT is a psychotherapy for chronic pain that aims to help patients reconceptualize their pain as a non-dangerous signal. It has been shown to be effective in a previous RCT (n=151).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Back Pain Chronic Pain Neck Pain Back Pain

Interventions

PRT is a psychological intervention for chronic pain patients with a primary nociplastic component. PRT aims to help patients reconceptualize their pain as a non-dangerous signal that is not indicative of tissue pathology or structural abnormality. Through decreasing the threat level of their chronic pain, the pain itself can also resolve.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * At least 6 months of back pain with last week average back pain at least 4/10 * Able to attend at least 7/8 telehealth group sessions * Access to safe living space, quite room, reliable internet, and electronic device that can be used to attend telehealth therapy sessions. Exclusion Criteria: * Leg pain that is worse than back pain * Suicide attempt, SI, HI, or inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the past 5 years * Not receiving/has not received disability or workers compensation related to back pain in the past 2 years. * Is not currently involved in litigation regarding chronic back pain. * Current misuse or overuse of alcohol or drugs * Major surgery or other major medical events in the next 6 months * Known vertebral/spinal fracture or tumor. * Back surgery within last 2 years * Difficulty controlling bowel movements * Current or recent diagnosis of cancer * Current or recent diagnosis of severe cardiovascular disease * Unexplained or unintended greater than 20 pound weight loss in the past year * Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, scleroderma, Lupus, polymyositis, or other specific inflammatory disorders

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

PEG-3 Average Pain in last week

0-10 scale that asks participant to rate their average pain (0=No pain, 10=Pain as bad as possible) in the last week

Time frame: Baseline, Post-treatment, and 2-months post-treatment