Talking away the pain: CBT may stop chronic pain after broken bones

NCT ID NCT04274530

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: McMaster University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce persistent pain after fracture surgery. Over 1,000 adults with broken arm or leg bones received either CBT or usual care. The goal was to see if CBT lowers the number of people who still have moderate to severe pain a year after their injury.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
What this could lead to: If it works, CBT could become a standard, drug-free way to lower the risk of chronic pain after fracture surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but CBT may not work for everyone, and results depend on patient willingness and ability to engage in therapy.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Acute Pain bone fracture Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome Fractures, Closed Fractures, Open Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

FRACTURES, CLOSED FRACTURES, OPEN PAIN, ACUTE PAIN, CHRONIC PAIN, POSTOPERATIVE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centre

Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03766, United States
Hamilton Health Sciences - General Site

Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2X2, Canada
Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Memorial University Newfoundland

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Ottawa Civic Hospital

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
PRISMA Health

Greenwood, South Carolina, 29615, United States
University of Calgary - Foothills Hospital

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
University of Maryland - Capital Region Medical Center

Largo, Maryland, 20774, United States
University of Maryland - R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States

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