CBT-CP for Veterans With SMI

Recruiting

Exploring the Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain in Veterans With Serious Mental Illness

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Have chronic back pain, per medical record
* Have a PEG-3 rating of 4 or greater for pain severity or interference
* Meet criteria for an SMI diagnosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression with psychosis) per medical record
* 18 years of age or older
* Enrolled in outpatient programming within a VISN 5 health care facility at time of consent
* Have regular access to a telephone
* Capacity to sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Are engaging in moderate-to-severe substance use that would impact their ability to participate and/or would require a higher level of care (as determined by treating provider)
* Engagement in individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), whether currently or in the past 12 months
* Have a current acute pain condition, medical condition, or limited mobility (i.e., unable to walk one city block) that would interfere with their ability to engage in CBT-CP interventions (e.g., activity pacing/walking program)

About the study

Chronic musculoskeletal pain has a highly negative impact on Veterans, especially those with serious mental illness (SMI). Chronic musculoskeletal pain leads to poorer mental and physical health-related functioning, representing a critical obstacle to rehabilitation and recovery for SMI Veterans. Despite known high prevalence rates of chronic pain in SMI populations, there is little research to evaluate nonpharmacological pain management strategies in this population. This study aims to address this research and clinical gap by testing the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) - a VA evidence-based psychotherapy for chronic pain - in Veterans with SMI and chronic low back pain. The study will primarily evaluate the impact of CBT-CP on pain-related functioning, quality of life, and pain severity. This study will also examine relationships between pain and mental health symptoms, and how these relationships may change with CBT-CP completion.

What is being tested

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) (behavioral)
Health & Wellness (H&W) (behavioral)

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Participants: 190 · Started: Feb 1, 2026

Contact the study team

Letitia Travaglini, PhD · Phone: (410) 605-1867

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06758414

Locations in the U.S.

Maryland

Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, Baltimore

Conditions

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.