# Addressing the chronic pain epidemic among older adults in underserved community center; The GetActive+ study.

> **NIH NIH R61** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2022 · $1,620,259

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (pain > 3 months) is prevalent, costly, challenging to treat and a national priority area. Older
adults have the highest rates of chronic pain, and these are expected to increase given the growth of the older adult population
over the next three decades. Older adults from underserved communities (low SES, racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants)
are at the highest risk for negative pain related health consequences such as lower physical and emotional function and
morbidity and mortality. We lack evidence based non-pharmacological treatments to address chronic pain within community
health clinics that serve this older adult patient population. GetActive is an evidence-based mind-body activity program that
directly targets improvement in pain outcomes by combining cognitive behavioral and mindfulness skills with gradual
increase in walking (preferred and safe activity for older adults) linked to valued activities. In direct response to RFA-NS-
22-002 we have partnered with the MGH-Revere HealthCare Center which serves >5,000 disadvantaged older adults, to
optimize GetActive to bypass socioecological barriers and effectively engage this population into non-pharmacological pain
management strategies. In the R61 phase, we will: 1) develop GetActive+ (optimized GetActive), 2) evaluate its feasibility
and acceptability; and 3) refine and finalize training, program manual, measures, and procedures. In the R33 phase, we will
conduct a randomized, hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial (N=200) to evaluate effectiveness and
implementation of GetActive+ versus treatment as usual on the following outcomes: 1) self-reported physical function
(primary), 2) performance based (6MWT) and objective (step count) physical function, emotional function, pain, social
support, loneliness (secondary); and 3) feasibility, acceptability, fidelity and adoption at patient, provider and organization
levels (implementation). Through this project we aim to solve the problem of lack of evidence based nonpharmacological
treatments for older adults in underserved communities. GetActive+ delivered by clinic staff can be routinely incorporated
into group visits (already available at MGH-Revere HealthCare Center and other similar community centers) which are
billable, thus providing a sustained model of care for older adults with chronic pain from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Because GetActive incorporates mind-body skills with activity (e.g., walking), there is potential for improvement in other
outcomes (e.g., decreased risk for morbidity and mortality) over and above pain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10536153
- **Project number:** 1R61AG081034-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Christine S Ritchie
- **Activity code:** R61 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,620,259
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10536153

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10536153, Addressing the chronic pain epidemic among older adults in underserved community center; The GetActive+ study. (1R61AG081034-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10536153. Licensed CC0.

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