PEACE: Comparing Chronic Pain Treatment Options

Launched by MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER · Nov 30, 2016

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The PEACE trial is studying different ways to treat chronic pain, particularly for those with musculoskeletal pain and fibromyalgia. In this study, participants will be divided into three groups: two groups will receive acupuncture, which is a traditional technique that uses very thin needles to help relieve pain, while the third group will start with usual care for 12 weeks before receiving acupuncture. The goal is to see which method works best for managing chronic pain.

To join the study, you need to be at least 18 years old, speak English, and have had musculoskeletal pain for at least three months, with a pain level of 4 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10. This means that if you often experience significant pain, you might be eligible. If you participate, you can expect to receive treatment for your pain over several weeks and help researchers learn more about effective pain management options. Keep in mind that certain conditions, like specific types of arthritis or cancer, may prevent you from joining the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • English speaking
• • Age \>/= 18 years or older
• • Having musculoskeletal pain, defined as regional (joints, extremities, back, neck) or more generalized (fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain)
• • Having a pain rating of 4 or greater in worst pain on a 1-10 numerical rating scale in the preceding week (Patients with a neuropathic component to their pain that involves the extremities or back will be eligible)
• • Having had pain for at least 3 months and at least 15 days with pain in the preceding 30 days
• • A diagnosis of cancer with no restrictions placed on type of cancer, other than that patients with metastatic disease will be excluded. Eligibility criteria are not restricted to MSK confirmed biopsy/diagnosis. Participating institution's testing is sufficient for other study sites.
• • Complete active treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy) at least one month prior to study initiation (patients on continued hormone treatment will not be excluded).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have non-musculoskeletal pain syndromes (headache, facial pain, chest pain, visceral abdominal pain) if these are the sole source of pain, but can be present as co-morbid conditions as long as a patient has a primary musculoskeletal pain condition defined s above.
• • Inflammatory arthritis that require disease modifying drugs (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
• • Phantom limb pain
• • Patients with a history of metastatic cancer who are not currently NED
• • Have a pending pain-related VA or social security or worker's comp disability claim by self-report
• • Have an implanted electronically charged medical device