Lay health workers may ease pain in seniors without pills
NCT ID NCT05278234
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether community health workers (CHWs) can teach older adults with chronic pain how to manage their symptoms using a 7-week program called STEPS. The program included phone sessions with a CHW, online videos, and a wearable activity tracker. Researchers enrolled 414 mostly African American older adults in Detroit to see if the program reduced pain interference in daily life compared to usual care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
behavioral intervention: community health worker-delivered pain self-management program (STEPS) with wearable activity tracker
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could provide a low-cost, scalable way to help older adults in underserved communities better manage chronic pain without relying solely on medication.
What could go wrong
This is a completed efficacy trial, but results may not apply to all populations. The intervention relies on participant engagement and technology access, which could limit effectiveness for some individuals.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States