Chronic Pain Skills Study (CPSS)
Chronic Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Pain focused on measuring Chronic Pain, Sleep
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years of age or older;
- Veteran eligible for services through Veteran Health Affairs;
- experience moderate to severe chronic pain on a regular basis; and
- able to read, speak and understand English.
Exclusion Criteria:
- severe cognitive impairment;
- current or history of psychiatric or behavioral issues that require immediate attention and/or prevent the subject from participating effectively in the study;
- reported use of a high dose of an opioid(s).
Sites / Locations
- University of Washington, Ninth and Jefferson Building
- University of Washington- Harborview Medical Center
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division
- University of Washington, Integrated Brain Imaging Center
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Condition #1: PsychoEducation (ED)
Condition #2:Self-Hypnosis Training (HYP)
Condition #3: Mindfulness Meditation (MM)
Condition #1 will include 8 90-minute group sessions that will educate the subject about chronic pain, discuss the impact of pain, and inform the subject of different ways to manage it in hopes of decreasing pain and its impact on the subject's life. Participants in this condition will be given pre-recorded audio recordings of the content of the sessions to listen to.
In condition #2, the facilitator will perform a standard hypnotic short induction followed by therapeutic suggestions, including post-hypnotic suggestions. Participants will relax in a comfortable position with their eyes closed and will simply listen to the clinician read a standardized hypnotic script that will include an induction followed by suggestions for decreased pain and improvement in co-morbid symptoms (e.g., improved mood and optimism, relaxation, sleep quality).
In condition #3, the facilitator will teach participants Vipassana meditation, which is the specific form of mindfulness meditation (MM) typically implemented in mindfulness research. The emphasis is placed upon developing focused attention on an object of awareness, such as the breath. This focus is then expanded to include a more open, non-judgmental monitoring of any sensory, emotional, or cognitive events. Time will also be devoted to problem solving around any difficulties with MM practice.