Culturally Adapted Pain Management for Indigenous Peoples

Purpose

The proposed study involves a randomized feasibility pilot trial of a culturally adapted psychological intervention for chronic pain for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals receiving care for pain at the Portland Area Indian Health Service - Yakama Service Unit. The study will provide information on whether or not it is feasible to conduct a future fully-powered randomized controlled trial.

Condition

  • Chronic Pain

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • at least 18 years of age - identify as AI/AN (or by another preferred name, such Native American, Native, and/or Indigenous) - have at least one diagnosis consistent with chronic pain and/or meet criteria for chronic pain diagnosis at enrollment (i.e., experience pain for > 50% in the past 3 months that interferes with daily functioning) - possess the ability to speak and understand English - have access to a mode of communication for contact, such as a telephone, for study purposes

Exclusion Criteria

  • significant cognitive impairment - current uncontrolled serious psychological issues (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) - active medical treatment for malignant conditions (e.g., cancer) - active suicidality with intent - active alcohol and/or substance abuse

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
A total of 30 study participants will be randomized to either active treatment or treatment-as-usual (i.e., continued medical care for chronic pain).
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Active Treatment 		Treatment is group-based and remote-based. Treatment groups will include 4-6 study participants. A total of 7 treatment sessions are delivered on a weekly basis. The treatment is an integration of evidence-based psychological tools for pain management and Indigenous healing practices.
  • Behavioral: Braided Skills for Managing Pain
    The intervention is a "braiding" or integration of Indigenous, Western, and Eastern beliefs and practices. Pain management skills involve evidence-based psychological techniques of behavioral activation, mindfulness meditation, relaxation techniques, and cognitive restructuring. Indigenous healing practices related to pain involve land-based healing, reconnecting with community, spirituality, narrative sharing, journaling, and restoration of cultural practices (e.g., eating Native foods, ceremonies).
No Intervention
Treatment-as-usual 		Study participants will proceed with their medical care as usual for chronic pain.

Recruiting Locations

Portland Area Indian Health Services - Yakama Service Unit
Yakima, Washington 98948
Contact:
Ryan Pett, PharmD, MPH, BCPS
509-865-1728
Ryan.Pett@ihs.gov

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of California, San Diego

Study Contact

Andrea K Newman, PhD
253-271-4289
a7newman@health.ucsd.edu

Detailed Description

The prevalence of chronic pain is higher among American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) people than any other group in the United States. This proposed study aims to begin the process of developing a culturally-adapted psychological intervention for chronic pain among AI/AN individuals receiving care for pain at the Portland Area Indian Health Service - Yakama Service Unit. The K99 phase focused on the development of the intervention and the R00 entails a feasibility randomized pilot trial. The current study (i.e., the R00 phase) aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a future randomized controlled trial with the newly developed culturally-adapted psychological intervention for chronic pain.