Equipping Patients Using Interventions for Pain and Depression (EQUIPD)

June 6, 2026 updated by: Adam Todd Hirsh, Indiana University

Equipping Patients Using Interventions for Pain and Depression (EQUIPD) - Phase 2

This project is part of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative (https://heal.nih.gov/). This randomized controlled trial (RCT) is phase 2 of a two-phase, 5-year project with the overarching goal of testing a decision aid (DA)/coaching intervention, tailored to Black patients with comorbid chronic pain and depression, to encourage use of and adherence to nonpharmacological pain treatments (NPTs).

This 2-arm trial will randomize 304 patients with comorbid chronic musculoskeletal pain and depression in primary care from an urban safety-net health system (Eskenazi). After the baseline assessment, patients randomized to the intervention will be asked to participate in 4 coaching sessions over approximately 12 weeks. Sessions will use Motivational Interviewing principles to foster openness to NPTs and self-efficacy by helping patients identify their goals and priorities, understand their NPT options, prepare them to discuss and choose options with their primary care providers (PCPs), and reinforce these choices to foster maintenance of these changes. DA contents will be integrated into these sessions, which will facilitate discussion of these options with their PCP. The first 3 sessions take place prior to the patient's next scheduled PCP visit; the final session occurs after this visit. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 3 months (i.e., after completing the final coaching session), and 6 months.

Patients randomized to the wait-list control group will receive usual care (in addition to study assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months). After completing the final assessment, they will then be given the DA and offered a 20-minute coaching session to walk them through it.

Study Overview

Status

Status

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

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 (Estimated)

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.
304

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 Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Jennifer Garabrant
  • Phone Number: 317-278-2510
  • Email: jwilkers@iu.edu

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Indiana
      • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46254
        • Recruiting
        • Eskenazi Health Primary Care
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Adam T Hirsh, 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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Eligible patients must

  • have musculoskeletal pain in the low back, cervical spine, or extremities (hip, knee, shoulder) for ≥3 months,
  • have at least moderate pain intensity and interference with function, defined by a score ≥4 (possible range: 0-10) on the Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity scale (PEG), a 3-item measure of pain intensity, interference with enjoyment of life, and interference with general activity,
  • have at least mild depression, defined as PHQ-8 score ≥5,
  • identify as Black or African American,
  • have consistent access to a telephone,
  • indicate openness to new pain treatments, and
  • have a scheduled appointment with their PCP in the next approximate 2-4 months or be willing to schedule one

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients are excluded:

  • if previously participated in Dr. Matthias' past pilot study (IRB #12885), the pilot RCT for this project (IRB #16571), or are participating as a Patient Engagement Panel member for this project (Aim 1.1),
  • if the eligibility screener or medical records indicate severe medical conditions likely precluding participation (e.g. stroke in the last 6 months, hospitalized with congestive heart failure or a heart attack in the last 6 months, cancer other than skin cancer and receiving active treatment), or
  • if the eligibility screener or medical records reveal (1) active suicidal ideation, or (2) severe hearing/speech or cognitive impairment.

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: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

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.
No Intervention: Control
Wait-list control group
Experimental: Coaching and Decision Aid
Intervention group (Individual coaching sessions and Decision Aid)
Behavioral: Coaching and Decision Aid
Four (4) coaching sessions over approximately 12 weeks with integration of Decision Aid contents

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
Change from Baseline Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Interference Scale at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
The pain interference score averages seven ratings, 0 (does not interfere) to 10 (completely interferes).
3 months
Change from Baseline Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Interference Scale at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
The pain interference score averages seven ratings, 0 (does not interfere) to 10 (completely interferes).
6 months
Change from Baseline Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-8 at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-8 is a widely-used, validated 8-item measure of depression severity that uses a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day).
3 months
Change from Baseline Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-8 at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-8 is a widely-used, validated 8-item measure of depression severity that uses a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day).
6 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
Change from Baseline Use of Nonpharmacological and Self-Care Approaches (NSCAP) at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
The NSCAP asks about 9 nonpharmacological treatment (NPT) modalities and assesses details of use such as frequency, location/source of service, and patients' judgments of effectiveness. Space is also provided for other NPTs that are used but not listed. The number of modalities for which patients answer "yes" will be summed for analyses.
3 months
Change from Baseline Use of Nonpharmacological and Self-Care Approaches (NSCAP) at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
The NSCAP asks about 9 nonpharmacological treatment (NPT) modalities and assesses details of use such as frequency, location/source of service, and patients' judgments of effectiveness. Space is also provided for other NPTs that are used but not listed. The number of modalities for which patients answer "yes" will be summed for analyses.
6 months
Change from Baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
Anxiety will be measured with the 7 item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 that uses a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day).
3 months
Change from Baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
Anxiety will be measured with the 7 item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 that uses a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day).
6 months
Change from Baseline Pain Catastrophizing Scale at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale is a 13-item scale that assesses catastrophizing-a cognitive-emotional factor that predicts poor treatment response. The scale uses a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time).
3 months
Change from Baseline Pain Catastrophizing Scale at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale is a 13-item scale that assesses catastrophizing-a cognitive-emotional factor that predicts poor treatment response. The scale uses a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time).
6 months
Change from Baseline Altarum Consumer Engagement (ACE) Measure at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
Patient engagement will be measured with the 12-item Altarum Consumer Engagement (ACE) Measure, which has 3 subscales: 1) commitment to manage one's health, 2) informed choice, and 3) confidence to participate in treatment decisions. Items are assessed on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree).
3 months
Change from Baseline Altarum Consumer Engagement (ACE) Measure at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
Patient engagement will be measured with the 12-item Altarum Consumer Engagement (ACE) Measure, which has 3 subscales: 1) commitment to manage one's health, 2) informed choice, and 3) confidence to participate in treatment decisions. Items are assessed on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree).
6 months
Change from Baseline Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
Decisional conflict will be measured with the 16-item Decisional Conflict Scale that measures personal perceptions of a) uncertainty in choosing options, b) modifiable factors contributing to uncertainty, and c) effective decision making on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree).
3 months
Change from Baseline Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
Decisional conflict will be measured with the 16-item Decisional Conflict Scale that measures personal perceptions of a) uncertainty in choosing options, b) modifiable factors contributing to uncertainty, and c) effective decision making on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree).
6 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
Change from Baseline Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions Scale (PEPPI-5) at 3 months
Time Frame: 3 months
Communication self-efficacy will be measured with this 5-item scale that measures patients' self-efficacy in obtaining medical information and getting their most important health concern discussed in a clinic visit. The scale uses ratings from 0 (not at all confident) to 10 (extremely confident).
3 months
Change from Baseline Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions Scale (PEPPI-5) at 6 months
Time Frame: 6 months
Communication self-efficacy will be measured with this 5-item scale that measures patients' self-efficacy in obtaining medical information and getting their most important health concern discussed in a clinic visit. The scale uses ratings from 0 (not at all confident) to 10 (extremely confident).
6 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.
Indiana 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.
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Adam T Hirsh, PhD, Indiana University

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.
August 13, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
May 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
May 31, 2027

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).
July 8, 2024

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.
July 8, 2024

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.
July 15, 2024

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.
June 9, 2026

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.
June 6, 2026

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.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

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.
  • 22412
  • 4R33NR020845-02 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

NIH intends to maximize the impact of HEAL Initiative-supported projects through broad and rapid data sharing. All HEAL Initiative award recipients, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, are required to comply with the HEAL Public Access and Data Sharing Policy, which also aligns with the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-013.html). HEAL award recipients must following all requirements and timelines developed through the HEAL Initiative Data Ecosystem, as described in HEAL's compliance guidance (https://heal.nih.gov/data/complying-heal-data-sharing-policy).

IPD Sharing Time Frame

At the time of publication of the primary manuscript

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Implementation of the plan will follow the HEAL Public Access and Data Sharing Policy.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF
  • CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

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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