Emotional awareness therapy for fibromyalgia pain in people with lupus

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with lupus and fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain who are on a stable medication regimen. It tests an online talking therapy for pain.

Age

18 to 65 years

Sex

All genders can join.

Disease stage

Lupus together with fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain, diagnosed by a licensed rheumatologist.

Earlier treatment

Must be on a stable medication regimen. Must not have changed medications in the past 3 months.

Main reasons for not taking part

• Serious psychiatric disorder not controlled with medications
• Active suicidal ideation
• Untreated alcohol or substance use disorder
• Substantial cognitive impairment
• Enrolled in another treatment study

The registry criteria, word for word

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

• Are you between 18 and 65 years old?YesNo

What the trial wants to find out

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a psychotherapy intervention works to relieve widespread pain in patients with lupus. The main questions it aims to answer are:

The 2 groups in the trial

• Emotional Awareness and Expression TherapyTreatment being tested

  The treatment will be conducted via HIPAA-compliant video telemedicine (Zoom) in small groups of patients for eight weekly sessions, 2 hours per session. Each session will use an educational lecture, discussion, in-class experiential exercises, and homework assignments. During sessions, participants will be encouraged to identify their stressors and experiences, and to express their avoided or suppressed emotions, using exercises such as emotional disclosure, role-playing, and the "empty chair" technique. Participants will be given homework assignments to complete between sessions, including expressive writing, identifying stressors and avoided emotions, and practicing healthy communication skills.

  Treatment: Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)

• Wait list controlNo study treatment, for comparison

  Participants assigned to the waitlist control condition will be assessed at baseline and at a time matched to EAET post-treatment. All interested participants will be offered the opportunity to receive the EAET treatment once their WL period is completed. Those who opt to receive the treatment will be required to complete another set of assessments post-treatment.