RecruitingNot Applicable

Pain Disengagement Training (Open Pilot)

United States10 participantsStarted 2025-10-14

Plain-language summary

The investigators aim to conduct an open pilot trial to determine the initial feasibility of a self-directed writing-based intervention in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and elevated pain catastrophizing. The investigators will assess the feasibility of recruitment, acceptability of the treatment, credibility and participant satisfaction, treatment adherence, and feasibility of assessments following pre-specified benchmarks.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

✓. Outpatient adults (i.e., greater than or equal to 18)
✓. Has self reported chronic musculoskeletal pain (i.e., pain persisting for at least 3 months)
✓. Pain score greater than or equal to 4 (moderate) on the Numerical Rating Scale
✓. Pain catastrophizing score greater than or equal to 20 on Pain Catastrophizing Scale
✓. Willingness to engage in a writing-based intervention and self-reported ability to write or type for at least 30 minutes in a sitting
✓. Received care at Massachusetts General Hospital
✓. English verbal and writing fluency

Exclusion criteria

✕. Clinically significant change in therapy or medication in the past 3 months
✕. Severe untreated mental health condition (e.g., psychosis)
✕. Active suicidality with history of plan or current intent
✕. Serious illness expected to worsen in the next 6 months (e.g., cancer)
✕. Untreated substance use problem that, per patient's self-report, would interfere with the ability to complete the intervention.

What they're measuring

Feasibility of recruitment

Timeframe: Baseline, post-test (6 weeks)

Acceptability of treatment

Timeframe: Baseline, post-test (6 weeks)

Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire

Timeframe: Baseline

Client Satisfaction Questionnaire

Timeframe: Post-test (6 weeks)

Adherence to intervention

Timeframe: Mid-intervention

Feasibility of assessments

Timeframe: Baseline, post-test (6 weeks)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06870162

SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-30

Contact for this trial

Katherine McDermott, PhD

(617) 643-4208 kmcdermott@mgh.harvard.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

✓. Outpatient adults (i.e., greater than or equal to 18)
✓. Has self reported chronic musculoskeletal pain (i.e., pain persisting for at least 3 months)
✓. Pain score greater than or equal to 4 (moderate) on the Numerical Rating Scale
✓. Pain catastrophizing score greater than or equal to 20 on Pain Catastrophizing Scale
✓. Willingness to engage in a writing-based intervention and self-reported ability to write or type for at least 30 minutes in a sitting
✓. Received care at Massachusetts General Hospital
✓. English verbal and writing fluency

Exclusion criteria

✕. Clinically significant change in therapy or medication in the past 3 months
✕. Severe untreated mental health condition (e.g., psychosis)
✕. Active suicidality with history of plan or current intent
✕. Serious illness expected to worsen in the next 6 months (e.g., cancer)
✕. Untreated substance use problem that, per patient's self-report, would interfere with the ability to complete the intervention.

What they're measuring

Feasibility of recruitment

Timeframe: Baseline, post-test (6 weeks)

Acceptability of treatment

Timeframe: Baseline, post-test (6 weeks)

Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire

Timeframe: Baseline

Client Satisfaction Questionnaire

Timeframe: Post-test (6 weeks)

Adherence to intervention

Timeframe: Mid-intervention

Feasibility of assessments

Timeframe: Baseline, post-test (6 weeks)