New pain program aims to help veterans move better and feel better

NCT ID NCT03469505

First seen Jun 15, 2026 · Last updated Jun 20, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested a new program called COPES against standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-CP) for veterans with chronic pain. Over 700 veterans participated to see which approach better reduces pain's impact on daily life. Both programs teach skills to manage pain without medication.

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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.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital

    Hines, Illinois, 60141, United States

  • G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center

    Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States

  • Oklahoma City VA Health Care System

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States

  • Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

    Charleston, South Carolina, 29401, United States

  • VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105, United States

  • VA Central Texas Healthcare System

    Temple, Texas, 76504, United States

  • VA Central Western Massachusetts

    Leeds, Massachusetts, 01053, United States

  • VA North Texas Healthcare System

    Dallas, Texas, 75216, United States

  • VA Puget Sound Healthcare System

    Seattle, Washington, 98108, United States

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Cooperative Pain Education and Self-Management (COPES) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could provide a more accessible and effective behavioral treatment option for veterans with chronic pain, improving their daily functioning.

What could go wrong

This is a completed trial comparing two established behavioral therapies, so the main risk is that COPES may not prove superior to standard CBT-CP. Results may not apply to non-veteran populations.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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