Back to search results

Study of Psychosocial Treatments for Chronic Back and Neck Pain

This study is looking at different ways to help people with chronic back and neck pain. It compares three types of behavioral therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). It also includes a "Treatment as Usual" group, where participants receive their regular care without additional therapy from the study. Researchers want to understand what makes these treatments work best and for whom. Success will be measured by changes in your pain severity and how much pain interferes with your daily life. The study plans to enroll 408 people, but its current status is unclear. You may be able to join if you are at least 18, live in the US, speak English, and have chronic back or neck pain that is at least a 3 out of 10 in intensity and interference.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing three behavioral therapies and a "treatment as usual" group, with a planned enrollment of 408 participants.
What's involved
You will have your pain severity and interference measured weekly during treatment, and again after treatment and at a 6-month follow-up.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months after their treatment ends.

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

NCT06044649

Moderators and Mediators (M & M Trial) of Psychosocial Treatments of Chronic Pain

Active, Not Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Rush University Medical Center
~408 participants
Updated 2026-06-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Cognitive Behavioral TherapyAcceptance and Commitment TherapyEmotional Awareness and Expression TherapyTreatment as Usual

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) - Pain Severity
Measured over Baseline to post-treatment and 6-month follow-up, and weekly during treatment
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Chronic Pain
Neck Pain
Back Pain

Explore related trials

Back PainNeck Pain

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
Illinois1
Michigan1

Study leadership

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

Who to contact

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

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Back/neck is primary pain location (e.g., back/neck pain greater than leg pain)
Pain for at least 3 months and experienced 4 or more days/week for the past 6 months
Pain intensity last week is \>= 3 (0 to 10 rating scale)
Pain interference last week is \>= 3 (0 to 10 rating scale)
At least age 18
Lives in United States
Fluent in English
Has personal computer/tablet and internet access
Able to attend weekly sessions
Willing to be randomized
Seeking to improve their pain-related status via a psychological therapy

Exclusion

Complex regional pain syndrome
Epilepsy/seizure disorder
Autoimmune disease
Liver disease
Cancer
Heart disease
Substance dependence or use disorder
Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Suicide attempt or suicide intention or impulse
Major medical procedure scheduled within next 9 months
Applied for/ litigating for pain-related disability/worker's compensation (past year).
Major life event/stressor in past 6 months
Cognitive impairment (screener score \<=4)

What this trial measures

  • Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) - Pain SeverityBaseline to post-treatment and 6-month follow-up, and weekly during treatment

    4-item measure of pain severity over past week (range 0 to 10; higher scores = worse pain severity)

  • Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Pain Interference - Short Form 8aBaseline to post-treatment and 6-month follow-up, and weekly during treatment

    8-item measure of pain interference over past week (range1 to 5; higher scores = more pain interference)