Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Real-Time Pain Management Intervention for Sickle Cell via Mobile Applications (CaRISMA)

PI(s): Charles Jonassaint, PhD MHS, University of Pittsburgh

Project Summary: We are conducting a comparative effectiveness trial among 350 adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who report chronic pain, randomized to receive either mobile phone-delivered computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT; n = 175) or digital education (m-Education; n = 175). We seek to provide better coping tools for patients with daily pain and depression by comparing cCBT therapy against m-Education to see which provides a greater benefit for daily pain. We also seek to understand if cCBT will provide a greater benefit to depressive symptoms, health care utilization, and opioid misuse behaviors compared to m-Education as well as measure the feasibility of these measures.

Both intervention groups receive weekly (more frequent if requested or needed) follow-up with a health coach for at least 3 months to reinforce learned materials. Both groups will also use their mobile device to track daily pain, mood, and medication used for two-week periods at baseline and each of the follow-up points (3, 6 and 12 months). They will also be given access to a study-associated online support group page where they can discuss with other patients, issues they faced, and what skills were or could be used to address them. Participants will continue all routine care including opioid pain management and novel therapies.

Study Design: Clinical Trial

PCORnet Partners:

  • Duke University University of Illinois at Chicago
  • East Carolina University

PaTH Partners:

  • University of Pittsburgh (Kathleen McTigue, Site PI)
  • Ohio State University (Payal Desai, Site PI)
  • Johns Hopkins University (Dan Ford, Site PI)

Sponsor: PCORI®

Coordinating Center: University of Pittsburgh

PaTH Network Logo
Twitter Logo Facebook Logo YouTube Logo

Copyright 2016 | PaTH Network