Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in approximately 7% of adults in the general population. PTSD greatly impacts quality of life and often co-occurs with other conditions such as chronic pain. Individuals with co-morbid PTSD and chronic pain demonstrate higher PTSD symptoms and pain (as well as greater anxiety, depression, disability, and opioid use) compared to those with only one of those conditions. Gold standard treatments exist for both PTSD (e.g., Prolonged Exposure; PE) and chronic pain (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain; CBT-CP) and are generally offered sequentially (i.e., one at a time for the condition that is most prominent). Treating these conditions separately may overlook their interconnected nature, which may reduce efficacy and increase dropout. Thus, there is a need for an intervention to target both simultaneously, which may be more effective and efficient than treating conditions sequentially. This is a single-arm pilot study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an integrated treatment for adults with comorbid PTSD and chronic pain. The intervention consists of 12 90-minute virtual psychotherapy sessions scheduled twice per week. The treatment draws from modules in PE and CBT-CP including psychoeducation, exposure to feared/avoided situations and activities, processing of exposures, behavioral activation, breathing and relaxation techniques, sleep hygiene, symptom monitoring, and structured homework assignments. Baseline and post-treatment assessments will be conducted.
Age range
18 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.
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.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Feasibility Indicator: Number of Participants Screened
Timeframe: Baseline
Feasibility Indicator: Enrollment
Timeframe: Baseline
Feasibility Indicator: Number of Sessions Attended
Timeframe: Post-Treatment Assessment at approximately 6 weeks
Feasibility Indicator: Attrition Percentage
Timeframe: Post-Treatment Assessment at approximately 6 weeks
Feasibility Indicator: Number of Assessments Attended
Timeframe: Baseline and Post-Treatment Assessment at approximately 6 weeks
Feasibility Indicator: Percentage of Self-Reports Completed
Timeframe: Baseline, Post-Intervention at approximately 6 weeks, Every Other Treatment Session (Every 2 weeks up to 12 weeks)
Intervention Satisfaction
Timeframe: Post-Treatment Assessment at approximately 6 weeks
Intervention Acceptability
Timeframe: Post-Treatment Assessment at approximately 6 weeks
Qualitative Intervention Feedback
Timeframe: Post-Treatment Assessment at approximately 6 weeks