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MOTIVATE for Older Veterans with Musculoskeletal Pain and Depression

This study is testing a behavioral intervention called MOTIVATE for older Veterans (ages 60-99) who experience chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and symptoms of depression. MOTIVATE involves 8 individual telephone sessions with health coaches over about 5 months. The researchers want to see if MOTIVATE can improve how much pain interferes with daily life. You might be able to join if you are an English-speaking Veteran aged 60 or older, have MSK pain that interferes with your daily activities and is rated 4 or higher out of 10, and have depressive symptoms rated 10 or higher on a specific questionnaire (PHQ-9). The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) planning to enroll 264 participants. It is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment.
What's involved
Participants in the MOTIVATE group will have 8 individual telephone sessions with health coaches, delivered over up to 5 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Pain interference will be measured at 3 months after the start of the study or completion of the MOTIVATE intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05220202

MOTIVATE to Improve Outcomes for Older Veterans With Musculoskeletal Pain and Depression

Completed
NAAges 60–99InterventionalHealth services
VA Office of Research and Development
~214 participants
Updated 2026-09-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Behavioral Intervention Group (MOTIVATE)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Primary Outcome: Pain interference
Measured over 3 months post baseline or completion of MOTIVATE

Conditions

Chronic Back Pain
Depression
Aging
Musculoskeletal Pain

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NCT05220202

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX

    Houston, Texasno site contact published

  • VA North Texas Health Care System Dallas VA Medical Center, Dallas, TX

    Dallas, Texasno site contact published

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Una E. Makris, MD MSc · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · VA North Texas Health Care System Dallas VA Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

English- speaking
Self-reported musculoskeletal (MSK) pain (include Chronic low back pain (cLBP) +/- radiating symptoms, osteoarthritis (OA), fibromyalgia) on most days for the past 3 months that interferes with daily activities
Pain intensity that is 4+/10 on the numerical pain rating scale
Pain interference threshold 5+ on 3-item Pain, Enjoyment of Life, and General Activity scale (PEG-3)
Depressive symptoms, 10+ on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Capable of participating in home-based activity
Interested in participating in a non-pharmacologic program

Exclusion

No telephone
Not English speaking
Unwilling to be randomized to either study arm
Not interested in participating in a non-pharmacologic program
Self-reported uncorrected hearing and visual impairments precluding ability to participate in telephone sessions or read pedometer screen
Significant (moderate or severe) cognitive impairment (3+ errors) on six-item screening exam
Self-reported dependence on wheelchair, bed-bound, or severe balance impairment or severe osteoarthritis (OA)\* (resulting in inability to participate in physical activity intervention)
Illness requiring hospitalization within the last 3 months that interferes with a home-based physical activity intervention (e.g., fall, gout attack, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, surgery for blocked arteries)
Suicidal intent (see suicide screening protocol), uncontrolled psychotic disorder or psychiatric hospitalization within 1 year, or enrolled in active substance use program (confirmed with scripted protocol over telephone)

What this trial measures

  • Primary Outcome: Pain interference3 months post baseline or completion of MOTIVATE

    Pain interference will be assessed using the interference subscale of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) score at 3 months post-baseline or completion of MOTIVATE. Patient-reported pain-related interference (0-10 scale, with higher values indicating more pain) has been shown to be sensitive to change and to have good reliability. A mean between-group difference of 1-point in the primary outcome (change of BPI interference score from baseline to 3 months) is considered a clinically meaningful difference.