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Education Interventions for Self-Management of Pain Post-SCI: A Pilot Study

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Spinal Cord Injury
Chronic Pain
Interventions
Other: Education Program Type 1
Other: Education Program Type 2
Registration Number
NCT02262234
Lead Sponsor
Kessler Foundation
Brief Summary

Chronic pain (pain that is that is present for a long period of time) is very common among people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, chronic pain is very difficult to treat. Many treatments reduce chronic pain only partially. As a result, many people with SCI must find ways of accomplishing daily activities even though they have pain.

The purpose of this research study is to determine how well two different kinds of education programs reduce the extent to which chronic pain interferes with daily life and well-being.

Detailed Description

Pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, current pain treatments offer incomplete relief, produce side effects, and/or involve significant cost. Low-risk, low-cost treatments capable of addressing residual pain and pain-related disability are greatly needed. A number of research studies have associated educational interventions with improvements in pain-related outcomes.

The overall goal of the proposed pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of two types of educational programs for people with chronic pain and spinal cord injury. This study aims to identify a low-cost, low-risk treatment option that empowers people with pain and SCI to improve their functioning and quality of life.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
29
Inclusion Criteria
  • Spinal cord injury for at least one year
  • Chronic pain for at least three months that is moderate to severe (rated at or above 4/10 on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 = "no pain" and 10 = "pain as bad as you can imagine")
  • Fluent in English
  • Not currently starting a new pain treatment or changing a previous pain treatment
Exclusion Criteria
  • Cancer or conditions that may worsen over time (such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, Alzheimer's disease) and may affect my physical or mental functioning
  • Significant difficulties with learning or memory
  • Previous participation in a health and function education program specifically designed for people with chronic pain and SCI
  • Inability to understand English
  • Presence of other conditions not related to SCI that cause pain (such as fibromyalgia)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Education Program Type 1Education Program Type 1-
Education Program Type 2Education Program Type 2-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain interference with activitiesWeek 10 versus baseline

The extent to which pain interferes with daily activities will be measured with the Life Interference Subscale of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI-LIS). The MPI-LIS is a 10-item self-report of extent of interference of pain with life activities and the enjoyment of life. The subscale will be modified to remove two items related to work, as recommended based on a factor analysis of the subscale in persons with SCI.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain attitudesWeek 10 versus baseline

The Survey of Pain Attitudes will be used to assess changes in thoughts and beliefs about pain.

Pain intensityWeek 10 versus baseline

Pain intensity will be rated on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (0="no pain" and 10="pain as bad as you can imagine").

Mental health and well-beingWeek 10 versus baseline

The Brief Patient Health Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale will be used to assess changes in mental health that occur between baseline and the end of the education program.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kessler Foundation

🇺🇸

West Orange, New Jersey, United States

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