MBCT and CBT for Chronic Pain in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Multiple Sclerosis focused on measuring chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, pain, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria are:
- 18 years of age or older;
- a diagnosis of clinically definite MS confirmed by participant's provider;
- the presence of chronic pain, defined as average pain intensity in the past week of at least moderate severity (defined as a ≥3 on the 0-10 numerical rating scale) and pain of at least three months duration, with pain reportedly present > half the days in the past three months;
- reads and speaks English;
- has access and is able to communicate over the telephone; and
- has a computer or digital device with video capabilities (any operating system) and internet access.
Exclusion criteria are:
- severe cognitive impairment;
- currently in psychotherapy for pain > once a month; and
- previously participated in a pain study that used CBT or MBCT.
Sites / Locations
- UW Medicine Multiple Sclerosis Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
Experimental
Experimental
Usual Care
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
No intervention, participant will continue their usual care for pain and MS. We will collect information about what treatments are used by the usual care participants. They will be offered the opportunity to participate in one of the two active study treatments (MBCT or CBT) after completion of the 6-month followup.
Participants will attend eight, 2-hour group treatment MBCT sessions delivered using free video-conferencing technology. Groups will consist of 6-8 people who also have MS and chronic pain. Participants will be asked to practice skills learned in session between sessions. MBCT integrates mindfulness meditation practices within a CBT-oriented framework to address not only unhelpful pain cognitions and behaviors but also attentional control, decoupling of attention from emotion, mindful cognitions, and meditative behavior.
Participants will attend eight, 2-hour group treatment CBT sessions delivered using free video-conferencing technology. Groups will consist of 6-8 people who also have MS and chronic pain. Participants will be asked to practice skills learned in session between sessions. CBT focuses on increasing adaptive pain coping strategies and reducing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors related to pain. Strategies include relaxation techniques, goal-setting, activity pacing, and changing unhelpful thinking patterns.