Back to search results

Preventing Chronic Pain by Treating PTSD at Acute Pain Onset

This study is exploring ways to prevent chronic pain in people who are experiencing acute pain (sudden pain, like from an injury) and also have symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Researchers believe that untreated PTSD might increase the risk of acute pain becoming chronic pain. The study will test two different treatments: Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), which is an injection of a local anesthetic into a nerve bundle in the neck, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a type of talk therapy. The goal is to see if reducing PTSD symptoms with either of these treatments can stop acute pain from turning into chronic pain. Success will be measured by changes in your pain intensity and PTSD symptoms over about 6 months.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 345 participants who will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments or usual care.
What's involved
Participants will receive either 1-week massed CPT or two SGB treatments. You will also complete questionnaires and participate in interviews.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain intensity and PTSD symptoms will be measured through study completion, for an average of 6 months.

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

NCT05700279

Preventing the Development of Chronic Pain: Treating PTSD at Acute Pain Onset

Recruiting
NAAges 18–70InterventionalTreatment
Rush University Medical Center
~345 participants
Updated 2025-10-20 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Stellate Ganglion BlockCognitive Processing Therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Intensity
Measured over Through study completion, for an average of 6 months
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

PTSD
Chronic Pain

Explore related trials

Acute PainChronic PainPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Illinois1

Study leadership

  • John W Burns, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Rush University Medical Center

Who to contact

John W Burns, PhD
[email protected]
312-942-0379
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

What this trial measures

  • Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain IntensityThrough study completion, for an average of 6 months

    Intensity of chronic pain reported by subject. The PROMIS Pain Intensity scale consists of 3 questions with a 5-point response scale ranging from "Had no pain" -to "Very severe. " Participants are asked how intense their pain has been in the past 7 days. Higher scores indicate more intense pain.

  • Change in PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (PCL-5) Self-Reported PTSD SymptomsThrough study completion, for an average of 6 months

    PCL-5 will be used to measure self-reported PTSD symptoms. The PCL-5 consists of 20 questions that ask how much a given symptom has bothered the participant within a specified time period. Each question has a 5 point response scale ranging from "not at all" (0) to "extremely" (4). Higher scores indicate greater PTSD symptom severity.