Psychophysical and Neural Mechanisms Contributing to Chronic Post-Surgical Pain in Adolescents and Adults
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
The current project will (1) enhance our understanding of the neurobiology of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP); (2) provide a metric to follow patients with CPSP in the clinic; (3) provide a metric for those who will chronify; and (4) understand the age-related differences in CPSP. Ultimately, an improved comprehension of mechanisms linked to CPSP will provide finer tools for optimizing the selection of treatments for individual patients. Moreover, data that demonstrates the underlying pathobiological pain mechanism(s) active in CPSP, particularly those non-responsive to current therapies, may be used to validate novel strategies both pharmacological and non-pharmacological.
Description
In this mechanistic clinical trial, participants will be randomized into either a one-day (5 hours) group workshop based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and a one-month post workshop zoom individual booster session or Treatment as Usual (TAU). Dr. Sieberg will conduct the groups with assistance from the RA. Dr. Sieberg is a licensed clinical psychologist, who has delivered manualized ACT for chronic pain in her clinical practice. The intervention follows a manual patterned after an existing 1-day ACT intervention for chronic pain and will be adapted to meet the needs of patients wi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 12+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: --Females and males aged 12 and older who have previously undergone surgery at least 6 months ago and have chronic post surgical pain (3 months after surgery or longer) Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to speak sufficient English or another language that can be interpreted orally and for questionnaires with the research team * Severe cognitive impairment by history (e.g., intellectual disability, severe head injury) * Patients with significant psychiatric disorders * Use of illegal hard drugs including MDMA, heroin, methamphetimes, amphetamines, cocaine, ketamine, benzodi…
Interventions
- BehavioralAcceptance and Commitment Therapy
The aim of ACT is to address avoidance behaviors by increasing openness to difficult experiences, such as pain, and to develop an awareness of behavioral options that will aid to facilitate behavior change processes that are in accord with living a values-based life.
Location
- Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts