Helping Lupus Patients Manage Fibromyalgia Symptoms Through Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)

Recruiting

Evaluating the Feasibility and Efficacy of Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) on Fibromyalgia Outcomes in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Who can join

Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults of all genders, ages 18-65.
* A diagnosis of lupus and fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain by a licensed rheumatologist
* Be on a stable medication regimen.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Serious psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) uncontrolled with medications.
* Active suicidal ideation.
* Untreated alcohol or substance use disorder.
* Substantial cognitive impairment.
* Changes in medications in the past 3 months.
* Enrollment in another treatment study.
* Current involvement in health-related litigation or disability application.
* Inability to use a computer and/or smartphone.
* limited access to the internet.
* Inability to communicate in English.
* Failure to complete the baseline assessments.

About the study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a psychotherapy intervention works to relieve widespread pain in patients with lupus. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is the psychotherapy treatment safe for lupus patients? Are lupus patients able to complete the treatment? Can the treatment help improve chronic pain and other symptoms in lupus patients?

Researchers will compare the treatment to a control (participants who will continue their medical treatment but will not receive psychotherapy for the time frame of the treatment) to see if the psychotherapy treatment works to relieve widespread pain and other lupus-related symptoms.

Participants will:

Fill out questionnaires before and after the treatment. Participate in 8 weekly treatment sessions, 2 hours per session, delivered via Zoom from their own home.

Keep a list of medications and monitor any changes in their medication regimen.

What is being tested

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of Utah · Participants: 30 · Started: Dec 1, 2025

Contact the study team

Dan Kaufmann, PhD · Phone: 385-351-9058
Dalia Sriwi, MD · Phone: 801-581-7724

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07282392

Locations in the U.S.

Utah	University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Conditions

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