Can writing away pain work? new study tests Self-Guided program for chronic sufferers
NCT ID NCT06870162
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a new, self-directed writing program for people with long-term muscle or bone pain who also struggle with negative thoughts about their pain (called pain catastrophizing). The program involves 8 writing sessions done at home. The goal is to see if people find it helpful and easy to stick with. Only 10 adults with chronic pain will take part in this early test.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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About 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Outpatient adults (i.e., greater than or equal to 18) 2. Has self reported chronic musculoskeletal pain (i.e., pain persisting for at least 3 months) 3. Pain score greater than or equal to 4 (moderate) on the Numerical Rating Scale 4. Pain catastrophizing score greater than or equal to 20 on Pain Catastrophizing Scale 5. Willingness to engage in a writing-based intervention and self-reported ability to write or type for at least 30 minutes in a sitting 6. Received care at Massachusetts General Hospital 7. English verbal and writing fluency Exclusion Criteria: 1. Clinically significant change in therapy or medication in the past 3 months 2. Severe untreated mental health condition (e.g., psychosis) 3. Active suicidality with history of plan or current intent 4. Serious illness expected to worsen in the next 6 months (e.g., cancer) 5. Untreated substance use problem that, per patient's self-report, would interfere with the ability to complete the intervention.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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