RecruitingNot Applicable

Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults With Chronic Pain

United States375 participantsStarted 2026-03-04

Plain-language summary

The goal of this study is to better understand how two common psychological treatments for pain work in the brain of older adults living with chronic pain. This study will: 1. evaluate fMRI of adults receiving psychological treatments for chronic pain to determine how these interventions work within older adults, and 2. examine self-report and EEG variables to identify for whom do these psychological interventions work. Adults ages 60 years and older, living with chronic pain for at least 3 months will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1. Mindfulness-Meditation 2. Therapeutic Hypnosis 3. Story Listening

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

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

. be ≥60 years of age;
. have self-reported chronic pain (≥3-months, with pain experienced on ≥ 50% of days);
. endorse an average intensity of pain ≥3 on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) for most days of the previous 3-months;
. be able to read, speak, and understand English;
. be naïve to meditation and hypnosis:
. if currently taking analgesic or psychotropic medication, medication must have been stabilized for ≥4-weeks prior to this study and does not anticipate changes in the medication during the study;
. access to a private place with adequate internet reception to support participation in intervention training sessions;

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in average chronic pain intensity in past 24 hours

Timeframe: Collected daily for 4 consecutive days at pre-baseline, during EEG procedure, baseline MRI/fMRI assessment, at each of the 4 treatment sessions, 1-week post-baseline MRI, and daily for 4 consecutive days starting day 11 post-baseline MRI/fMRI assessment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06957743

SponsorUniversity of Washington

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-03-01

Contact for this trial

Rana Salem, MA

206-543-0107 rsalem@uw.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Pain trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

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

. be ≥60 years of age;
. have self-reported chronic pain (≥3-months, with pain experienced on ≥ 50% of days);
. endorse an average intensity of pain ≥3 on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) for most days of the previous 3-months;
. be able to read, speak, and understand English;
. be naïve to meditation and hypnosis:
. if currently taking analgesic or psychotropic medication, medication must have been stabilized for ≥4-weeks prior to this study and does not anticipate changes in the medication during the study;
. access to a private place with adequate internet reception to support participation in intervention training sessions;

What they're measuring

Change in average chronic pain intensity in past 24 hours

Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults With Chronic Pain

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Inclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Questions for the trial coordinator

What they're measuring

Trial details

Contact for this trial

Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults With Chronic Pain

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Inclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Questions for the trial coordinator

What they're measuring

Trial details

Contact for this trial

Exclusion criteria