Integrated Treatment for Chronic Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder frequently co-occur and are associated with a significant level of affective distress, physical disability, and treatment resistance. However, no empirical studies have been conducted investigating the efficacy of a treatment tailored specifically for individuals with comorbid chronic pain and PTSD.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach for comorbid chronic pain and PTSD. A secondary objective of this study is to examine potential mechanisms of action that might mediate treatment outcome. It is hypothesized that:

1.a) Participants receiving integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for chronic pain and PTSD will report significantly greater improvements on measures of pain, affective distress, and physical functioning from pre-treatment to post-treatment than participants in the Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for chronic pain, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, or Treatment as Usual (TAU) conditions

1.b) All active treatments will be more effective at promoting improved outcomes than Treatment as Usual

• Participants receiving integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for chronic pain and PTSD will report decreased symptoms of PTSD from pre-treatment to post-treatment when compared to participants in the other conditions.

• Participants receiving integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment for chronic pain and PTSD will report greater maintenance of change, and greater improvements on measures of Pain, Affective Distress, Physical Functioning, and PTSD at 6 months following the completion of treatment than participants in the other three conditions

• As a secondary/exploratory hypothesis, the researchers will examine potential mechanisms of action in treatment.

It is hypothesized that changes in these potential mechanisms will mediate treatment outcome. The proposed study is a four-treatment condition by three-evaluation period (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up) repeated measures factorial design with multiple dependent measures. Participants will be 136 patients with co-morbid chronic pain and PTSD receiving care in the VA Boston Healthcare System. Participants in the active treatment conditions will complete 11 weekly outpatient therapy sessions. A clinical psychologist with specialized training in providing both PTSD and chronic pain treatment protocols will conduct therapy in an individual format, 90 minutes in duration. Participants assigned to the TAU condition will not receive treatment beyond that provided by their primary care provider and other healthcare providers. The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-PAIN condition will follow an adaptation of a manualized treatment protocol used by Kerns and colleagues that emphasizes identifying and modifying maladaptive thoughts and behaviors related to the experience of chronic pain. Participants in the Cognitive Processing Therapy - PTSD condition will receive a manualized treatment protocol that includes several empirically supported techniques including cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and skills training. Participants in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Integrated condition will receive an integrated treatment for comorbid pain and PTSD including components of the pain and PTSD treatments described above.

The proposed study will address the specific objectives of the National Pain Management Strategy by helping to assure that clinicians practicing in the VA healthcare system are adequately prepared to assess and manage chronic pain effectively, especially when comorbid with PTSD. Knowledge gained from the proposed study could potentially be utilized by psychologists and other healthcare providers across the VA system nationwide who are currently engaged in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment programs for chronic pain and PTSD. Given that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be efficacious for pain and PTSD, but not for comorbid pain and PTSD, it is imperative that a new integrated treatment be evaluated that has the potential to address the unmet needs of this large population. Thus, this study will have important implications for the delivery of pain management services to veterans and others with chronic pain and PTSD.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients will be eligible for participation if they have chronic pain, defined as constant pain of at least six months duration with a neurologic or musculoskeletal etiology. Patients must also meet criteria for PTSD.
• Stability of pain and anxiety medications will be required for two months prior to study entry and during the active treatment and TAU phase.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with life threatening or acute physical illness (e.g., cancer).
• Current alcohol or substance abuse or dependence. Veterans who have a history of alcohol or drug dependence but who have not had problematic use in the last six months will be included in the study.
• Current psychosis or suicidal ideation.
• Individuals seeking pain treatment such as surgical interventions will be excluded.