EPPIC: Easing Pelvic Pain Interventions Clinical Research Program

Description

The EPPIC (Easing Pelvic Pain Interventions Clinical Research Program) study evaluates an ultra-brief, 4 session cognitive behavioral pain treatment transdiagnostic in design for urologic chronic pain syndrome (UCPPS) with clinical and practical advantages over existing behavioral therapies whose length and focus limits their adoption by clinicians and coverage for mechanistically similar comorbidities. A theoretically informed, practical, empirically grounded approach will systematically unpack CBT's working mechanisms, clarify for whom it works, ease dissemination, appeal to patients, providers, payers, and policy makers in the COVID-19 era favoring low resource intensity treatments, and reduce cost and inefficiencies associated with high intensity therapies whose complexity, length, and scarcity restricts uptake and impact.

Conditions

Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS), Interstitial Cystitis, Bladder Pain Syndrome, Chronic Prostatitis, Chronic Pain, Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Chronic Overlapping Pain Disorders

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The EPPIC (Easing Pelvic Pain Interventions Clinical Research Program) study evaluates an ultra-brief, 4 session cognitive behavioral pain treatment transdiagnostic in design for urologic chronic pain syndrome (UCPPS) with clinical and practical advantages over existing behavioral therapies whose length and focus limits their adoption by clinicians and coverage for mechanistically similar comorbidities. A theoretically informed, practical, empirically grounded approach will systematically unpack CBT's working mechanisms, clarify for whom it works, ease dissemination, appeal to patients, providers, payers, and policy makers in the COVID-19 era favoring low resource intensity treatments, and reduce cost and inefficiencies associated with high intensity therapies whose complexity, length, and scarcity restricts uptake and impact.

A Brief, Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Processes, Predictions, Outcomes

EPPIC: Easing Pelvic Pain Interventions Clinical Research Program

Condition
Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS)
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Los Angeles

UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095-7378

Ann Arbor

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109-5330

Buffalo

University at Buffalo (the only clinical site where treatment is delivered), Buffalo, New York, United States, 14215

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.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Ages 18-70 years (inclusive)
  • * Male or female
  • * All genders, races, ethnic groups
  • * MD-confirmed diagnosis of IC/BPS or CP/CPPS by study urologist or urogynecologist
  • * Pelvic pain including uncomfortable sensations of pressure or discomfort that are not described as outright pain) of at least six months duration
  • * Pelvic pain intensity of at least moderate severity (defined as 3 or greater on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale and causes life interference weekly and limit(s) participant's life or work-related activities, general activity level, and/or enjoyment of life) over the past 3 months.
  • * Ability to understand and provide informed consent
  • * Either not taking medications or if taking medications willing to refrain from starting new medications until after the initial 2-week pre-treatment baseline period ends unless medically necessary.
  • * A minimum 6th grade reading level based on the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT 4)
  • * Willing to be randomized to either CBT or Support/Education and to follow the protocol to which s/he has been assigned
  • * Willing to be contacted for follow up assessments at week 12 and 3, 6 months after treatment ends
  • * Willing to attend sessions
  • * Able to maintain symptom diaries and complete paper work
  • * Access to telephone and computer or smartphone
  • * Willing and able to provide adequate information for locator purposes
  • * Presence of a neurological condition (e.g., MS, Parkinson's disease, paraplegia) affecting the bladder
  • * The presence of a symptomatic urethral stricture (males only)
  • * History of cystitis caused by tuberculosis or radiation or chemotherapies
  • * Participant has been diagnosed and treated for a pelvic-related malignancy (colon, bladder, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, uterine, testicular, penile, cervical, vaginal, or rectal cancer)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

State University of New York at Buffalo,

Jeffrey Lackner, PsyD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University at Buffalo (SUNY)

Study Record Dates

2026-05-31