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Virtual therapist could help veterans conquer chronic pain

NCT ID NCT03655132

Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 21, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests an online program called VACT-CP that uses a virtual therapist to help veterans with chronic pain. The program is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on accepting pain and committing to value-driven actions. Researchers aim to see if the program is usable and helpful for improving pain management and quality of life.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
an online therapy program called Veteran Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain (VACT-CP), delivered through a virtual therapist
What this could lead to
If successful, this could provide veterans with an accessible, effective online tool to better manage chronic pain and improve daily functioning.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage pilot study focused on usability and feasibility, so it may not prove the therapy works for pain relief or quality of life.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

42 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Mar 2022

Finished

Oct 2023

Lead sponsor

A government agency

The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of non-cancer chronic pain, defined as: * at least one pain-related diagnosis indicated by an ICD-9 or -10 code related to either Musculoskeletal pain or Joint Problems/Osteoarthritis * or presence of chronic pain of at least mild to moderate severity as indicated by two or more NRS pain scores of 4 at three separate VA outpatient visits in past year based on a CPRS record review; * Has a working, high-speed wireless internet connection at home, or is willing to access sessions either at the Bedford VAMC by using a tablet in a secure space * Competent to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Any current or lifetime DSM-5 psychotic disorder * Current or recent (within 1 month of study entry) DSM-5 alcohol or drug use disorder * \[Current use of any other chronic pain-related behavioral or psychological treatment\] * Any cognitive impairment that would interfere with study participation * Clinically significant suicidality within the past year * Presence of any clinical features requiring a higher level of care (inpatient or partial hospital treatment) * Any cognitive or physical impairment that would interfere with study participation of using a tablet/computer and providing feedback

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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.

Chronic pain

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA

    Bedford, Massachusetts, 01730-1114, United States

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