CBT-CP for Veterans With SMI

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Chronic Pain, Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Affective Disorders, Psychotic

In brief

Chronic musculoskeletal pain has a highly negative impact on Veterans, especially those with serious mental illness (SMI). Chronic musculoskeletal pain leads to poorer mental and physical health-related functioning, representing a critical obstacle to rehabilitation and recovery for SMI Veterans. Despite known high prevalence rates of chronic pain in SMI populations, there is little research to evaluate nonpharmacological pain management strategies in this population. This study aims to address this research and clinical gap by testing the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) - a VA evidence-based psychotherapy for chronic pain - in Veterans with SMI and chronic low back pain. The study will primarily evaluate the impact of CBT-CP on pain-related functioning, quality of life, and pain severity. This study will also examine relationships between pain and mental health symptoms, and how these relationships may change with CBT-CP completion.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06758414

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

190

Starts

2026-02-01

Expected to finish

2029-09-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-09

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Have chronic back pain, per medical record
• Have a PEG-3 rating of 4 or greater for pain severity or interference
• Meet criteria for an SMI diagnosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression with psychosis) per medical record
• 18 years of age or older
• Enrolled in outpatient programming within a VISN 5 health care facility at time of consent
• Have regular access to a telephone
• Capacity to sign informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Are engaging in moderate-to-severe substance use that would impact their ability to participate and/or would require a higher level of care (as determined by treating provider)
• Engagement in individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), whether currently or in the past 12 months
• Have a current acute pain condition, medical condition, or limited mobility (i.e., unable to walk one city block) that would interfere with their ability to engage in CBT-CP interventions (e.g., activity pacing/walking program)

Where it is running

• Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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