Brief Online Intervention for Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Expressive Writing Paradigm: A Study of Therapeutic Effectiveness for Chronic Pain

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01639196
• Other study ID #: 338877-1
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: July 2012
• Est. completion date: January 2013

Study information

• Verified date: May 2023
• Source: University of Maryland, College Park
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of writing about chronic pain on mental and physical health. The effectiveness of two different types of brief online writing interventions will be explored in individuals with chronic pain.

Description:

Chronic pain is highly prevalent and costly, but often not treated effectively. Psychological interventions are needed as part of chronic pain treatment since the pain affects many aspects of an individual's life. In particular, brief psychological interventions that are easily accessible (i.e., online) could benefit many people with chronic pain. Writing interventions have been used in recent years to understand difficult experiences. Writing interventions have been found to help individuals explore distressing thoughts and feelings, such as those that are associated with pain.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 93
• Est. completion date: January 2013
• Est. primary completion date: January 2013
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with chronic pain or a chronic pain condition or discussed pain management strategies (e.g., pain medication) with a doctor

• Experience pain on most days of the month for at least six months

• Able to read and write in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic pain directly caused by a terminal condition (e.g., stage 4 cancer)

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Chronic Pain

Intervention

Other:
• Self-compassion writing
Participants are instructed to write about their chronic pain in a way that elicits self-compassion for 20 minutes once a week for three consecutive weeks.
• Self-efficacy writing
Participants are instructed to write about their chronic pain in a way that elicits self-efficacy for 20 minutes once a week for three consecutive weeks.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Maryland, College Park

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change from Baseline in Self-Compassion Scale		Change from Baseline in Self-Compassion Scale at 4 weeks
Primary	Change from Baseline in Pain Self-Efficacy Scale		Change from Baseline in Pain Self-Efficacy Scale at 4 weeks
Secondary	Change from Baseline in Pain Severity	Pain severity is measured on a 10-point rating scale.	Change from Baseline in Pain Severity at 4 weeks