RECRUITING

The HAPPINESS Trial: cHAnging the Perceived Pain INtensity in divErSe Populations With Spinal Cord Injury

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Chronic neuropathic pain affects 69% of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Current treatment options are limited (primarily pain medications) with insufficient benefits and significant risks for addiction and adverse effects. Of the available mind and body approaches, Qigong is the most accessible for adults with SCI with evidence for effectiveness in reducing pain, but there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for adults with SCI. Thus, the feasibility of Qigong in SCI needs to be established. To support our feasibility study, we investigated a 12-week remote Qigong program in adults with SCI and neuropathic pain. We recruited 23 adults with SCI, 18 completed the study, and 12 completed the 1-year follow-up. They practiced Qigong 138% of the required intensity (which was, at least 3x/week with Qigong video through the internet). Their pain was reduced by 44% after 12 weeks of Qigong practice and was still reduced at the 6-week and 1-year follow-up. However, three key elements need to be addressed before performing a larger effectiveness study: (1) feasibility/acceptability of Qigong from adults with SCI of diverse backgrounds; (2) feasibility of the study design with control group); and (3) objective outcome measures. This R34 feasibility study, the HAPPINESS trial (cHAnging the Perceived Pain INtensity in divErSe populations with Spinal cord injury), will expand on our prior study to consolidate feasibility with a rigorous protocol. We will address the following aims: AIM 1. Identify the facilitators/barriers to participating in a Qigong study through focus groups/interviews with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, defined as Hispanics, veterans, and adults living in rural, underserved areas. AIM 2. Establish the feasibility of study design/methods of the HAPPINESS trial in adults with SCI (at least 50% of diverse backgrounds) through pre-specified targets for recruitment/enrollment, feasibility, and acceptability of design and outcomes. Using a Phase I randomized controlled trial design, 40 adults with SCI-related neuropathic pain will be randomized to 12-week remote Qigong intervention OR a short daily pain management survey that can be completed on phone/iPad/computer + 6-month follow-up. The study results will facilitate a rigorous structure to design larger effectiveness studies and facilitate a clear pathway for researchers to investigate Qigong and other mind-body approaches for whole-person health in diverse groups of adults with chronic/neurological disorders.

Official Title

cHAnging the Perceived Pain INtensity in divErSe Populations With Spinal Cord Injury

Quick Facts

Study Start:2024-03-21
Study Completion:2027-03-21
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06140355

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * 18+ years old
  2. * medically stable
  3. * with neuropathic pain 4 or above on the numeric pain rating scale + screened with painDETECT
  4. * willing to participate in a remote Qigong intervention (from any location with internet connection)
  5. * fluent in English or Spanish
  6. * access to the internet and a computer/iPad or smartphone
  1. * uncontrolled seizure disorder
  2. * cognitive impairment and/or communicative disability (e.g., due to brain injury) preventing them from following directions or from learning
  3. * ventilator dependency
  4. * major medical complications
  5. * pressure ulcers hindering prolonged sitting or lying down
  6. * (planning to become) pregnant or planning a major surgery during the study (given study duration, regular Qigong practice, and frequent check-ins)
  7. * regular Tai Chi or Qigong practice in the past 6 months (3x/week or more)
  8. * currently engaged in other rehabilitation programs that would influence outcomes

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSPT, PT
CONTACT
612-625-1191
avandewi@umn.edu

Principal Investigator

Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSPT, PT
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of Minnesota

Study Locations (Sites)

University of Miami
Miami, Florida, 33124
United States
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55414
United States
University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley
Harlingen, Texas, 78539
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: University of Minnesota

  • Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSPT, PT, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Minnesota

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2024-03-21
Study Completion Date2027-03-21

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2024-03-21
Study Completion Date2027-03-21

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Spinal Cord Injuries