Web-based Mind-body Program to Improve Resilience Among Risky Substance Users With Persistent Upper Extremity Pain
Feasibility RCT of Web-based Mind-body Treatment to Enhance Resilience Among Patients With Painful Nontraumatic Upper-extremity Conditions and Commorbid Risky Substance Use
Jafar Bakhshaie
50 participants
Sep 15, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The investigator aims to conduct a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) (N=50) to test the feasibility, acceptability, and credibility of an asynchronous web-based mind-body intervention (Toolkit for Resilient Life beyond Pain and Substance Use; Web-TIRELESS) versus web-based minimally enhanced usual care (Web-MEUC) among adult patients with a painful non-traumatic upper-extremity condition(s) (PNUC) and commorbid risky substance use. Deliverables: \[1\] Adapt and refine open pilot protocol, patient recruitment, and other study materials. \[2\] Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and credibility of Web-TIRELESS and Web-MEUC in preparation for future research.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria8
- Outpatient adults seeking care in the Hand and Arm Center
- Diagnosed with a non-traumatic painful upper-extremity condition (NPUC)
- Pain score \> 4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
- Risky substance use (scores \>10 and \<27 for alcohol, and \>3 and \<27 for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, inhalants, sedatives, hallucinogens, opioids, tobacco products, and e-cigarette on The World Health Organization's - Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test \[WHO-ASSIST\])
- Owns a smartphone, laptop, or computer with internet access
- Age ≥18yr
- English fluency
- Ability and willingness to participate in a live video focus group and the following asynchronous Web-based intervention
Exclusion Criteria9
- Participation in mind-body or specialized substance abuse treatment in the past 3 months
- Practice of mindfulness \>45 minutes/week in the past 3 months
- Psychotropic medications (e.g. antidepressants) changed in the past 3 months
- Serious untreated mental illness (e.g., Schizophrenia)
- Suicidal ideation with intent or plan
- Pregnancy
- Secondary gains that may bias motivation (e.g., pending disability claim),
- Moderate to severe cognitive impairment (score ≥4 on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ))
- History of surgery for the presented NPUC within the past 6 months OR future plans for surgery.
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Interventions
This is a self-administered web-based intervention that consists of 4 on-demand sessions, each \~30 minutes long, that teach mind-body skills, cognitive-behavioral strategies (e.g., reframing, pain and substance use urge surfing), activity pacing, acceptance and commitment skills, and psychoeducation on the association between substance use and pain. The program aims to increase patients' physical and emotional functioning and decrease pain intensity and maladaptive substance use behaviors.
An educational information web-based pamphlet, containing brief, summarized information tailored for the respective patient population that follows topics including the trajectory of pain and adaptation after non-traumatic painful upper extremity conditions, the role of relaxation strategies to manage pain, and the importance of returning to engagement in activities of daily living.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT06991205