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Pain Disengagement Training (Open Pilot)

Pain Disengagement Training: A Self-directed Intervention for Pain Catastrophizing (Open Pilot)

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Outpatient adults (i.e., greater than or equal to 18)
2. Has self reported chronic musculoskeletal pain (i.e., pain persisting for at least 3 months)
3. Pain score greater than or equal to 4 (moderate) on the Numerical Rating Scale
4. Pain catastrophizing score greater than or equal to 20 on Pain Catastrophizing Scale
5. Willingness to engage in a writing-based intervention and self-reported ability to write or type for at least 30 minutes in a sitting
6. Received care at Massachusetts General Hospital
7. English verbal and writing fluency

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Clinically significant change in therapy or medication in the past 3 months
2. Severe untreated mental health condition (e.g., psychosis)
3. Active suicidality with history of plan or current intent
4. Serious illness expected to worsen in the next 6 months (e.g., cancer)
5. Untreated substance use problem that, per patient's self-report, would interfere with the ability to complete the intervention.

About the study

The investigators aim to conduct an open pilot trial to determine the initial feasibility of a self-directed writing-based intervention in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and elevated pain catastrophizing. The investigators will assess the feasibility of recruitment, acceptability of the treatment, credibility and participant satisfaction, treatment adherence, and feasibility of assessments following pre-specified benchmarks.

What is being tested

• Pain Disengagement Training (behavioral)

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital · Participants: 10 · Started: Oct 14, 2025

Contact the study team

• Katherine McDermott, PhD · Phone: (617) 643-4208

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06870162

Locations in the U.S.

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