Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Non-Malignant Pain: A Randomized C… (NCT07709572) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Non-Malignant Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Pakistan60 participantsStarted 2026-05-13
Plain-language summary
This study is evaluating whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps adults with chronic non-malignant pain (pain lasting 3 months or longer that is not caused by cancer). Sixty adult participants (ages 18-60) were randomly placed into one of three groups: ACT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Treatment as Usual (TAU, standard medical care only). Both ACT and CBT are delivered over 10 weekly sessions by a trained therapist. ACT focuses on helping people accept pain-related thoughts and feelings, become less controlled by unhelpful thinking patterns, and take action toward things that matter to them despite pain. CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts about pain and building coping skills such as pacing and relaxation. The TAU group continues usual medical care without added psychological treatment. Participants complete questionnaires before and after treatment measuring pain intensity, pain acceptance, pain-related disability, psychological flexibility, catastrophic thinking about pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. The goal is to find out whether ACT works as well as, or better than, CBT, and whether either treatment works better than standard care alone.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 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:
Chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain or chronic widespread pain persisting for at least three months, without evidence of malignant pathology Aged between 18 and 60 years Current pain severity of ≥4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) Pain-related functional interference of ≥4 on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) interference subscale Pain catastrophizing score of ≥20 on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) Availability and willingness to attend all intervention sessions (10 weekly sessions for either ACT or CBT) Diagnosis medically confirmed by a qualified physician (e.g., orthopedic consultant or pain specialist) prior to inclusion
Exclusion Criteria:
Presence of severe psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder Severe cognitive impairment or neurological disorders that may interfere with understanding or completing study assessments Concurrent participation in other structured psychological interventions for chronic pain (e.g., CBT, ACT) Uncontrolled or unstable medical conditions that may compromise safe participation in the study
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
1
Change in Pain Acceptance
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 10)
2
Change in Psychological Flexibility
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 10)
3
Change in Pain Interference
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention (Week 10)