A Brief, Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Processes, Predictions, Outcomes
State University of New York at Buffalo
Summary
The EPPIC (Easing Pelvic Pain Interventions Clinical Research Program) study evaluates an ultra-brief, 4 session cognitive behavioral pain treatment transdiagnostic in design for urologic chronic pain syndrome (UCPPS) with clinical and practical advantages over existing behavioral therapies whose length and focus limits their adoption by clinicians and coverage for mechanistically similar comorbidities. A theoretically informed, practical, empirically grounded approach will systematically unpack CBT's working mechanisms, clarify for whom it works, ease dissemination, appeal to patients, providers, payers, and policy makers in the COVID-19 era favoring low resource intensity treatments, and reduce cost and inefficiencies associated with high intensity therapies whose complexity, length, and scarcity restricts uptake and impact.
Description
Urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) encompasses several common, costly diagnoses including interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome that are poorly understood and inadequately treated. Their prolonged personal and economic costs are amplified by the frequent co-occurrence of a cluster of centralized pain conditions (particularly irritable bowel syndrome 3 \[IBS\]) but also fibromyalgia \[FMS\], chronic headache, chronic fatigue, etc.) called Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions (COPC). Clinically, the notion that these syndromes…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 18-70 years (inclusive) * Male or female * All genders, races, ethnic groups * MD-confirmed diagnosis of IC/BPS or CP/CPPS by study urologist or urogynecologist * Pelvic pain including uncomfortable sensations of pressure or discomfort that are not described as outright pain) of at least six months duration * Pelvic pain intensity of at least moderate severity (defined as 3 or greater on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale and causes life interference weekly and limit(s) participant's life or work-related activities, general activity level, and/or enjoyment of life) over…
Interventions
- BehavioralMinimal Contact-Cognitive Behavior Therapy
This 4 session largely home-based version of CBT with minimal therapist contact treatment is aimed at improving UCPPS symptoms by teaching symptom self-management skills that modify illness beliefs, information processing strategies, and reactions that aggravate pelvic pain and urinary symptoms.
- BehavioralPatient Education/Support
This 4 session largely home-based treatment is aimed at improving UCPPS symptoms through the provision of support and science-based information about UCPPS symptoms, how it is diagnosed, its causes, impacts, and triggers, treatment options and a collaborative relationship between the patient and clinician.
Locations (3)
- UCLALos Angeles, California
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, Michigan
- University at Buffalo (the only clinical site where treatment is delivered)Buffalo, New York