# Efficacy of Mind-Body Approaches for the Treatment of Chronic Pain with Psychological Comorbidity

> **NIH VA IK2** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Chronic pain (CP), defined as persistent (>6 months), non-malignant, musculoskeletal or generalized
pain, is a prevalent and costly public health problem. CP is highly prevalent among Veterans; 30-40% of
Veterans have moderate to severe CP. CP has a significant negative impact on mental health and quality of
life. CP is associated with declines in physical and social functioning, decreased activity levels, anxiety,
negative mood, and depression. Approximately 1.6 million Veterans Health Administration (VHA) enrolled
Veterans have CP and psychological distress associated with mental health comorbidities, including
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; ~50%), depression (~25%), and anxiety disorder(s) (~25%). Despite this
urgent clinical need and extraordinary economic and societal costs, there are currently no evidence-based
psychosocial interventions that simultaneously target comorbid mental health symptoms and CP interference in
Veterans.
 The proposed CDA-2 will include a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of
Cognitively-Based Compassion Training for Chronic Pain with Psychological Comorbidity (CBCT-CP+). The
trial will compare CBCT-CP+ to Health Education while Living with Pain (H.E.L.P.) control condition, in a
sample of 126 Veterans with CP conditions and psychological comorbidities at the VA San Diego Healthcare
System (VASDHS). The rationale for the proposed study of compassion meditation for CP with psychological
comorbidity is motivated by (1) a pressing clinical need, (2) a clear theoretical model, and (3) initial evidence of
its safety, feasibility and potential positive clinical effect for improving psychiatric conditions among Veterans.
This research is of direct relevance to multiple VA stakeholders (i.e., investigating the efficacy of
complementary and integrative health approaches for the treatment of complex physical and mental health
problems). Findings from the proposed RCT will inform clinical practice and policy by investigating whether a
compassion-based intervention targeting both CP and psychological comorbidities will improve treatment
outcomes for Veterans.
 The proposed CDA-2 will provide me with an important training opportunity to merge my primary
research interests and areas of expertise (psychosocial interventions for chronic pain and related mental health
conditions and complementary and integrative health approaches, including meditation). I will be mentored by
leading experts who specialize in CP treatment and assessment, RCT design and implementation,
complementary and integrative health approaches, particularly meditation, mechanisms of meditation-based
pain relief, and biostatistics. The proposed work will be conducted within a leading VA research center
(VASDHS) and world-renowned research institution (UCSD School of Medicine).
 The proposed trial will also allow me to obtain the necessary training for achievement of my long-term
goal to become an independent researcher within VA. Scaf...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10116677
- **Project number:** 1IK2CX002041-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Anne Malaktaris
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-01-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10116677

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10116677, Efficacy of Mind-Body Approaches for the Treatment of Chronic Pain with Psychological Comorbidity (1IK2CX002041-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10116677. Licensed CC0.

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