Innovation in the Treatment of Persistent Pain in Adults With NF1: Implementation of the iCanCope Mobile Application- Clinical Trial

March 27, 2025 updated by: Yale University

Innovation in the Treatment of Persistent Pain in Adults With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1): Implementation of the iCanCope Mobile Application- Clinical Trial

To demonstrate the initial feasibility and determine preliminary impact on clinical outcomes of the iCanCope-NF program in a pilot RCT. If successful this pilot study will support conducting a larger randomized control trial (RCT). The primary research question is what is the feasibility of the iCanCope-NF program? The investigators define feasibility as (1) rates of accrual and dropout, daily log-ins, engagement, and outcome measures completed and (2) perceptions regarding intervention acceptability and satisfaction; and what are the levels of engagement. log-ins, with the intervention? The secondary questions are: (1) how does the iCanCope-NF program compare with the control condition in differences of pain and pain-related activity limitations, sleep functioning, emotional functioning (depression, anxiety), opioid usage, pain catastrophizing, self-efficacy, respondent burden (i.e. Physical Functioning, R, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health), and psychological flexibility immediately post-treatment (T2), (2) does the iCanCope-NF + CM increase the engagement of the iCanCope-NF program as compared to iCanCope-NF without CM, and do their corresponding levels of pain and pain-related activity decrease with CM?, and (3) do individuals with NF1 utilize the Mindfulness based alternative approaches (MBAA) to help reduce pain symptoms? The investigators hypothesize that by customizing and including MBAA to the program for adults with NF1, that individuals who engage regularly as seen through Analytics Platform for Evaluating Effective Engagement (APEEE) application, will acquire new sets of skills to facilitate pain management, while pain as reported with the Brief Pain Inventory will decrease.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
122

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Connecticut
      • New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06510
        • Frank D Buono, PHD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 72 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • adults 18+
  • able to read and understand English at 5th grade level
  • permanently reside in the United States
  • have pain interference aggregate scores of three or more in the last two weeks using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) scale

Exclusion Criteria:

  • have an undiagnosed case of NF1
  • have documented major co-occurring psychiatric disease
  • have moderate to severe cognitive deficits
  • have depression assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or anxiety assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) greater than or equal to the appropriate thresholds (10=mild major depression; 5=mild severe anxiety)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: iCanCope
In this group, individuals will receive the iCanCope-NF program. The intervention will be delivered on a restricted password-protected mobile application. Participants will be encouraged to log onto the pain diary app (via automated alerts) once per day over the 8-week period to complete pain diary entries and develop and track their goals related to their pain, physical, social activities, sleep, as well as work through content based on their goals.
Device: iCanCope
The iCanCope mobile and web-based self-management program has been empirically evaluated for multiple painful diseases
Experimental: iCanCope+Contingency Management
In addition to the iCanCope-NF activities outlined above, individuals will be rewarded with incentives (contingency management) such as points that are redeemable for prize-based gift card vouchers. Points will be accrued through access to new sections, daily check-ins, and engagement of the mobile application. Based on research, the total amount of money that can be earned by the patient over the course of the two months is 50 dollars USD.
Device: iCanCope+Contingency Management
In addition to the iCanCope-NF activities outlined above, individuals will be rewarded with incentives (contingency management) such as points that are redeemable for prize-based gift card vouchers. Points will be accrued through access to new sections, daily check-ins, and engagement of the mobile application. Based on research, the total amount of money that can be earned by the patient over the course of the two months is 50 dollars USD.
No Intervention: Control Group
The control group is designed to assess for potential effects on outcomes of time, attention, during the study. In addition to usual care, participants will be required to complete baseline and follow-up assessments similar to that of the intervention groups. They will be given that patient education, through preapproved flyers and information found from national websites regarding pain management, but no self-management strategies or opportunities for social support. They will not have access to the mobile application during the course of experiment; however, the control group will be offered the full iCanCope-NF program following the trial (T2) for a period of 2 months after the study is over.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain Severity
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
A comparison within groups change of pain severity measured by the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form. Respondents rate items on a 0-10 scale to indicate the pain severity and interference, and the total score is the mean of each subfactor. The higher the score indicates more severity and interference of pain.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Engagement Activity
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Average minutes per day logged on the mobile application will be evaluated between the two groups using the mobile application.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Pain Interference Index
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
A comparison within groups change of pain interference measured by the Pain Interference Index Scale. Respondents rate items on a 0-6 scale to indicate how much pain has interfered with various activities, and the total score is the mean of the six items. Where 6 indicates high interference. Presented here are the non-linear converted T scores with a 'population' mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Scores above 50 indicate more pain interference.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Anxiety
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
A comparison within change of generalized anxiety measured by the generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7). After reading each statement, one of four choices are provided and respondents can select one response (1=not at all sure, 2=several days, 3=over half days, 4=nearly every day). Each column is then added, and a total score is obtained, with scores falling into four levels of anxiety, including minimal (1-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), and severe (15-21)
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Short Form/Quality of Life
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
the Short form survey 20- will measure quality of life across 8 subscales on respondent burden (Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health). Scores were transformed linearly to 0-100 scales, with 0 and 100 assigned to the lowest and highest possible scores, where high value indicated better functioning.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Treatment Services Review
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
What are perceptions of satisfaction across groups exposed to the iCanCope mobile application using an The Treatment Services Review (TSR). Data presented here represents the themes that emerged from the qualitative interviews.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Sleep Functioning
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
A comparison within change of sleep quality measured by the PROMIS Sleep inventory. The higher the total score, the more severe the symptom. Total scores less than 24 suggest no to slight sleep disturbance, 24-28 suggest mild disturbance, 29-38 moderate disturbance, and greater than 38 severe sleep disturbance. The score has a range of 0 to 40.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Chronic Pain Acceptance
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-Revised (CPAQ-Revised) 20-item scale designed to measure acceptance of pain. The acceptance of chronic pain is thought to reduce unsuccessful attempts to avoid or control pain and thus focus on engaging in valued activities and pursuing meaningful goals will be measured across all groups. The items on the CPAQ are rated on a 7-point scale from 0 (never true) to 6 (always true). To score the CPAQ, add the items for Activity engagement and Pain willingness to obtain a score for each factor. To obtain the total score, add the scores for each factor together. Total score range is from 0 - 120, with higher scores indicating higher levels of pain acceptance.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale: Avoidance
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS) Avoidance subscale is a 10-item scale used to assess psychological inflexibility in people with chronic pain will be measured across all groups. Respondents are asked to rate items on a 7-point scale that ranges from 1 (never true) to 7 (always true). The total score was calculated by summing the responses for each of the items. Higher scores indicate greater levels of psychological inflexibility. Total score range for the Avoidance subscale is 10-70. The PIPS outcome was originally registered as a single item.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale: Cognitive
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS) Cognitive subscale is a 6-item scale used to assess psychological inflexibility in people with chronic pain will be measured across all groups. Respondents are asked to rate items on a 7-point scale that ranges from 1 (never true) to 7 (always true). The total score was calculated by summing the responses for each of the items. Higher scores indicate greater levels of psychological inflexibility. Total score range for Cognitive subscale is 6-42. The PIPS outcome was originally registered as a single item.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mindfulness Based Alternative Approaches (MBAA)
Time Frame: through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.
Do individuals with NF-1 utilize the MBAA more readily because they are on the mobile application, via Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. 39-item self-completed questionnaire measuring the five facets of mindfulness: Observing (8 items), Describing (8 items), Acting with awareness (8 items), Non-judgmental (8 items), and Non-reactive (7 items). Total score ranges from 8 to 40. Higher scores indicating greater mindfulness.
through the completion of the study, on average 4 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Yale University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
The Hospital for Sick Children
United States Department of Defense
Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2021

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 6, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 6, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 10, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 22, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 24, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 30, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 27, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2000029045

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared with other investigator. Only non-PHI/IPD will be shared.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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