Developing a Tailored Psychosocial Education Intervention for Chronic Pain Management for Asian Americans

Launched by GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · Dec 4, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding and addressing the challenges of chronic pain among Korean Americans, a group that often goes underrepresented in pain research. The study aims to test a culturally tailored program that provides education and support for managing chronic pain, recognizing that many individuals in this community may feel uncomfortable discussing their pain or seeking help. By exploring how effective this program can be, the researchers hope to improve pain management for Korean Americans who often face significant health disparities.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be at least 18 years old, identify as foreign-born Korean Americans, and have experienced non-cancer-related pain for most days over the past three months. Participants will engage in educational sessions designed to help them better understand and manage their pain in a supportive environment. It’s important to note that those with certain serious mental health issues or who are currently undergoing other pain treatments may not be eligible for this study. The goal is to create a program that truly meets the needs of this community and helps reduce the pain they experience.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Female and male
• • 2. ≥ 18 years old
• • 3. Self-reported foreign born Korean Americans
• • 4. Self-reported pain most days of the month for at least 3 months
• • 5. Pain must be non-malignant, but may have more than one pain source
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Having malignant pain (e.g., cancer or HIV-related)
• • 2. Demonstrating significant cognitive impairment (based on results of a cognitive screener-Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire)
• • 3. Having current, uncontrolled serious psychological disturbance (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) or active substance abuse based on self-report
• • 4. Having low literacy skills in Korean or English (unable to understand the written consent and to sign)
• • 5. Undergoing other psychosocial treatment for pain
• • If excluding a population or group that may benefit from the research, please provide justification: We will exclude children. The original intervention (LAMP) trial has established for efficacy in reducing chronic pain outcomes in adult population. Children are not our target population as we focus on developing a culturally tailored chronic pain management program based on LAMP.