SMART Embedded Intervention for Military Postsurgical Engagement Readiness

Summary

The overarching objective of this proposal is to conduct a multi-site Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) across multiple Military Health System (MHS) sites to optimize the sequencing and integration of two intervention strategies in total knee arthoplasty (TKA) patients: a single-session mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) and an intensive 8-week MBI-Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) designed to simultaneously reduce prolonged pain and chronic opioid use by enhancing self-regulation. Aim 1: Evaluate the extent to which a brief preoperative MBI improves TKA patients' postoperative musculoskeletal health and reduces chronic opioid use. Aim 2: Evaluate the extent to which an intensive MBI (MORE) improves musculoskeletal health and reduces chronic opioid use among patients non-responsive to preoperative intervention. Aim 3: (A) Determine patient baseline characteristics that moderate MBI treatment responses. (B) Quantify the degree to which the impact of Phase 1 and 2 MBIs on musculoskeletal health and opioid dose are mediated by changes in mechanistic autonomic marker of self-regulation: heart-rate variability (HRV).

Eligibility

Age range

18+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Behavioral
  Brief mindfulness

  A 15-minute guided mindfulness practice that includes focused attention on breath and body sensations and open monitoring and acceptance of thoughts, emotions, and pain.

• Behavioral
  Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE)

  An 8-session intervention. Sessions involve: 1) mindfulness training to reduce pain and increase self-regulation over opioid use, 2) cognitive reappraisal to decrease psychological distress, and 3) savoring to augment natural reward processing, positive emotion, and esprit de corps.

• Other
  Standard care

  Preoperative Standard Care. Patients will attend a 2-hour preoperative class involving pain coping education and are offered prehabilitation services. Postoperative standard care includes (1) pain medications to minimize opioid use, including acetaminophen, lyrica, meloxicam/naproxen and celebrex, and (2) anticoagulants for 3-6 weeks postoperatively, as well as (3) ambulatory care with assistive devices 1-6 weeks after surgery. Patients see their surgeon postoperatively 2-6 weeks after surgery, 3-6 months, and yearly.

Location