Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07210398

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for the Chronic Pain-early Cognitive Decline Co-morbidity Among Older Black Individuals in the Community; The Feeling of Being Open Pilot

The goal of this clinical trial is to pilot an adaptation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain and early cognitive decline. The main questions it aims to answer in a later fully powered randomized controlled trial are:

* Is an adaptation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for older Black adults able to improve quality of life? * Will an adapted mindfulness based cognitive therapy reduce pain interference to a greater degree than a traditional health enhancement program?

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Age range

50 year–120 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

About this study

Co-morbid chronic pain and early cognitive decline is common among older Black adults and this co-morbidity worsens physical and cognitive function. Access to evidence based non-pharmacological management is limited. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention that could address the chronic pain and early cognitive decline co-morbidity among older Black adults, but it requires tailoring. The proposed study will establish the feasibility, acceptability and credibility of Feeling of Being, a cultural adaptation of MBCT aimed at the chronic pain and early cognitive decline co-morbidity among older Black adults in the community.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Older adult (age ≥ 50)
  • All individuals who identify with one or more nationalities or ethnic groups originating in any of the Black racial groups of Africa
  • Pain in muscles, joints, bones, or associated soft tissues (NRS>4) lasting longer than 3 months
  • Early Cognitive Decline (subjective or MCI)
  • Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-41 score ≥ 26
  • Functional Activities Questionnaire score < 9
  • English fluency/literacy
  • Ability and willingness to participate via in-person and video
  • Willing to provide informed consent and comply with all aspects of the protocol

Exclusion criteria

  • Current substance abuse/dependence
  • Significant cognitive impairment
  • History of more than 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • History of previous training in mindfulness or undergoing counseling more than once a month
  • History of or current diagnosis of psychosis
  • Active suicidal ideation or self-harm within the past 90 days

Treatment and study plan

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Behavioral

The delivered intervention is mindfulness-based cognitive therapy adapted for the chronic pain and cognitive decline comorbidity among older Black adults. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a structured psychotherapy that integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. This adapted MBCT is delivered as an 8-week group-based program with each weekly session lasting about 1 hour. Sessions occur once per week, supplemented by daily home practice of 40-60 minutes, 6 days a week, involving guided meditations, body scans, and mindful activities to reinforce skills.

Primary outcomes

  1. The Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire

    Time frame: At enrollment

    The Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ) is a 6-item self-report measure assessing treatment credibility (items 1-3) and expectancy (items 4-6). Items 1-3 and 5 are rated 0 (not at all credible/logical) to 9 (extremely credible/logical), while items 4 and 6 are rated 0% to 100%; subscale scores are standardized and summed (credibility: 3-27 raw equivalent; expectancy similar), with total scores ranging 6-54 after standardization, where higher scores indicate greater credibility and positive outcome expectancy (better outcome).

  2. The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire

    Time frame: Administered at the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The 3-item version of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-3) is scored by summing responses from its three core items. It consists of empirically selected items measuring key aspects of service satisfaction, each rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = lowest satisfaction to 4 = highest, with directionality adjusted as needed). Total scores range from 3 to 12, with higher values indicating greater satisfaction; no reverse scoring or subscales are required.

  3. Modified Patient Global Impression of Change

    Time frame: At end of 8 week program (post test) and again at 3 month follow up visit.

    The Modified Patient Global Impression of Change (mPGIC) adapts the standard single-item Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), a validated patient-reported outcome measure of overall perceived change since intervention, by assessing change across six specific domains. Each domain uses a single ordinal item rated on a 7-point scale: Very Much Improved (coded 1), Much Improved (2), Minimally Improved (3), No Change (4), Minimally Worse (5), Much Worse (6) or Very Much Worse (7). The range per domain is 0 (worst, Much Worse) to 5 (best, Very Much Improved), with higher scores indicating greater perceived improvement. Domains are analyzed individually as mean scores (no total computed), where values <4 reflect net positive change. Domains include coping strategies, physical activity, social activity, level of stress, memory and thinking, and pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Numerical Rating Scale

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity is an 11-point scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), assessing average pain over the past week. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity (worse outcome), lower scores less pain (better); single-item total score.

  2. PROMIS Physical Function

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The PROMIS Short Form V2.0 - Physical Function 8B (PROMIS PF 8B v2.0) is an 8-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing self-reported capability in physical activities, including upper extremity function (e.g., hand/arm tasks), lower extremity function (e.g., walking), central body function, and daily activities. It uses a 5-point Likert response scale per item: Without any difficulty (5), With little difficulty (4), With some difficulty (3), With much difficulty (2), or Unable to do/Cannot do (1). Raw total scores range from 8 (severe difficulty, worst outcome) to 40 (no difficulty, best outcome); these convert via scoring tables to T-scores (mean=50, SD=10 in U.S. population), where higher T-scores indicate better physical function. No subscales are computed; the total score reflects overall physical function. The T-score range for the PROMIS SF V1.2 is 10-65.

  3. PROMIS Anxiety

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks

    The PROMIS Short Form V1.0 - Emotional Distress Anxiety 8a (PROMIS Anxiety SF 8a v1.0) is an 8-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing self-reported anxiety symptoms over the past 7 days, including fear, nervousness, worry, dread, and feeling tense or restless. It uses a 5-point Likert response scale per item: Never (1), Rarely (2), Sometimes (3), Often (4), or Always (5). Raw total scores range from 8 (minimal anxiety, best outcome) to 40 (severe anxiety, worst outcome); these convert via scoring tables to T-scores (mean=50, SD=10 in U.S. population), where higher T-scores indicate greater anxiety severity. No subscales are computed; the total score reflects overall anxiety distress. T-score range: 28-82 for the 8a short form.

  4. PROMIS Emotional Support

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks

    The PROMIS Short Form V2.0 - Emotional Support 8a (PROMIS Emotional Support SF 8a v2.0) is an 8-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing perceived availability of supportive interpersonal relationships over the past 7 days, including listening, confiding, appreciation, understanding, and trust. It uses a 5-point Likert response scale per item: Never (1), Rarely (2), Sometimes (3), Often (4), or Always (5). Raw total scores range from 8 (minimal support, worst outcome) to 40 (strong support, best outcome); these convert via scoring tables to T-scores (mean=50, SD=10 in U.S. population), where higher T-scores indicate greater emotional support. No subscales are computed; the total score reflects overall perceived support. T-score range: 25-75 for the 8a short form.

  5. Measure of Current Status Part A

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Measure of Current Status Part A (MOCS-A) is a self-report questionnaire that measures ability to manage stress. The Measure of Current Status Part A (MOCS-A) comprises 13 items rated 0 (cannot do at all) to 4 (extremely well), summed for total score 0-52, with four subscales: relaxation, tension awareness, assertiveness, coping confidence (higher total/subscale scores indicate better stress management ability, better outcome). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale where 0 = "I cannot do this at all" and 4 = "I can do this extremely well," with higher scores reflecting greater confidence in coping skills.

  6. Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R) is a 12-item scale rated 1 (rarely/not at all) to 4 (almost always), total score summed 12-48 (higher scores indicate greater mindfulness ability, better outcome); unidimensional total score. Scoring: Items 2, 6, and 7 are reverse-scored. After appropriate reversals, sum values for items 1-12. Higher values reflect greater mindful qualities.

    '

  7. Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) sums 20 items rated 0 (never true) to 6 (always true) for total raw score 0-120, with two subscales: Activity Engagement (0-66) and Pain Willingness (0-54), both/totals higher indicating greater pain acceptance (better outcome).

  8. Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) consists of 10 items rated 0 (not at all confident) to 6 (completely confident), summed for total 0-60. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy despite pain (better outcome); single total score.

  9. Pain Catastrophizing Scale

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) sums 13 items rated 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time) for total 0-52, with subscales: Rumination (0-16), Magnification (0-12), Helplessness (0-24); higher scores indicate greater catastrophizing (worse outcome).

  10. Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) sums 11 items rated 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree), with no reverse-coded items. Total score range: 11-44 (higher scores greater kinesiophobia/fear of movement, worse outcome).

  11. PROMIS Depression

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The PROMIS Short Form V1.0 - Emotional Distress Depression 8b (PROMIS Depression SF 8b v1.0) is an 8-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing self-reported depressive symptoms over the past 7 days, including feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, sadness, failure, depression, unhappiness, and hopelessness. It uses a 5-point Likert response scale per item: Never (1), Rarely (2), Sometimes (3), Often (4), or Always (5). Raw total scores range from 8 (minimal depression, best outcome) to 40 (severe depression, worst outcome); these convert via scoring tables to T-scores (mean=50, SD=10 in U.S. population), where higher T-scores indicate greater depression severity. No subscales are computed; the total score reflects overall depressive distress. T-score range: 42-84.

  12. Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (41-point Version)

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (41-point version) sums 11 items (e.g., orientation, memory, attention) for total score 0-41, with higher scores indicating better global cognitive function (better outcome).

  13. The Everyday Cognition Scale (12-item Version)

    Time frame: From enrollment to 3 months from the end of treatment at 8 weeks.

    The Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog-12) is a 12-item informant-rated questionnaire assessing self-reported changes in everyday cognitive and functional abilities, sensitive to early decline in domains like memory, executive function, and organization. Each item uses a 4-point ordinal scale: 1 = No change (better or same), 2 = Occasionally worse, 3 = Consistently worse, 4 = Much worse. Higher ratings indicate greater perceived decline; "don't know" responses are typically prorated or handled per study protocol. The total score is the mean (average) of the 12 item scores, accounting for any missing data by dividing the sum by completed items. Scores range from 1.0 (no decline) to 4.0 (maximum impairment), with means around 1.5-2.0 in cognitively u

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Oct 7, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.