Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder - A Pilot Study
University of Michigan
Summary
The study is intended to test whether a group-based Zoom behavioral treatment can help adults with chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) learn effective strategies for reducing pain, disability and other problems that can come with these conditions (such as depression, anxiety, and difficulty managing emotions).
Description
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) is a behavioral therapy that focuses on reducing chronic pain by helping people work on the effects of stress, trauma, and emotions that they have experienced in their lives. It is delivered in group sessions of 5-7 individuals by trained therapists who treat emotions or problems in relationships to reduce chronic pain. Pain decreases through increased recognition and expression of emotions, and learning to feel safe in the presence of emotions. The primary aim of the study is to demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Be able to read, write and speak English * Have Internet access and audio-visual conferencing capability (e.g., Zoom meetings by phone or computer) in the home * Widespread pain and has opioid use disorder (OUD) Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of autoimmune disease, spinal cord injury, cancer. * Currently receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy, EAET, or other psychological therapies for pain * Open litigation regarding chronic pain in the past 1 year, as assessed in preliminary study screening. * Inability to provide informed consent and complete study procedures (e.g.…
Interventions
- BehavioralEmotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)
A validated, 8-week, group-based telehealth-based behavioral intervention for chronic pain. Session content will include pain neuroscience education, emotion-focused expressive writing, in-vivo emotional expression practices, self-compassion and forgiveness exercises, and assertive communication strategies. Participants will also be provided handouts and pre-recorded guided imagery and cognitive exercises that they can use to facilitate between-session practices.
Location
- The University of MichiganAnn Arbor, Michigan