Study seeking participants for new, non-drug treatment for chronic pain in SCI

Chronic pain affects many people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and can be musculoskeletal, neuropathic, or associated with spasms. Medications help but rarely cure chronic pain. Researchers at the University of Washington are starting a new research study for chronic pain after a spinal cord injury. The research suggests that training in self-hypnosis plus cognitive therapy (HCT) can reduce chronic SCI-related pain. Self-hypnosis is a skill people can learn to enter a state of relaxed alertness and openness to suggestion. Cognitive therapy involves changing how the brain processes pain by changing thoughts about pain.

Now, researchers want to find out if people can learn HCT from a therapist via videoconferencing and if they experience significant pain relief. If videoconferencing-based HCT works, more people with SCI could benefit from this therapy. Because this is purely a research study, half of the participants will be randomly assigned to HCT and half to usual care. ALL participants will be asked to complete outcome assessments. No in-person visits are needed and participants earn up to $60 for completing assessments.

You may be eligible for this study if you: 1) are at least 18 years old, 2) have been diagnosed and treated for SCI, 3) have chronic pain related to your SCI, 4) are able to read, speak, and understand English; and 5) have access to a web-camera & microphone through a computer, smartphone or other internet-connected device. You can learn more about the study HERE and if you wish to participate, you may send e-mail to telepop@uw.edu or by phone at (206) 221-5688.