# Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for the chronic pain-depression co-morbidity among older Blacks in the community; The Quiet Focus study

> **NIH NIH K23** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $169,556

## Abstract

Research & Related Other Project Information
Project Summary
This K23 proposal details a comprehensive 5-year training program that will support the candidate’s transition towards
becoming an independent investigator. The candidate (Dr. Tony V Pham), a first generation college student,
underrepresented in medicine psychiatrist, will focus his career on developing and rigorously testing mind-body
interventions with better access and relevance to underserved populations with chronic illnesses. In this application, the
candidate proposes to address the chronic pain-depression co-morbidity in the older Black community by culturally
adapting Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Among older Blacks, chronic pain co-occurs with depression,
and this co-morbidity worsens physical and emotional function; however, Blacks face multiple barriers to evidence-based
non-pharmacological pain and depression management including systemic racism, stigma, and the lack of culturally
tailored care. A culturally tailored MBCT may be an effective and efficient solution to improve physical and emotional
outcomes among this underserved population. This K23 will develop Quiet Focus, a cultural adaptation of MBCT for
older Blacks with chronic musculoskeletal pain and co-occurring depression. My preliminary conversations with the
community revealed strong interest in Quiet Focus, support for MBCT’s relevance to the community, and interest in
participation only if the intervention is abbreviated and is delivered by a lay instructor from the Black community. In Aim
1, I will develop Quiet Focus using guidance from the older Black community with chronic pain and co-occurring
depression. The starting point for Quiet Focus will be an abbreviated, evidence-based MBCT protocol (8 60-minute
sessions) developed by co-mentor Shallcross. I will train lay instructors under the mentorship of co-mentor Joo and
develop a fidelity protocol under the mentorship of primary mentor Vranceanu and co-mentor Shallcross. In Aim 2, I will
train a Black lay individual to deliver Quiet Focus and assess preliminary feasibility and fidelity. In Aim 3, I will train a
new Black lay individual to deliver Quiet Focus and another to deliver a time- and dose-matched control. I will then
conduct a feasibility RCT of Quiet Focus and control and assess definitive feasibility benchmarks including fidelity.
These proposed efforts will inform an efficacy trial through the R01 mechanism (primary outcome is physical function) as
well as future studies aimed at generalizing this work to other underrepresented groups. These study aims are supported
by 3 main training goals aimed at developing expertise in: (1) community engaged intervention development, (2) mixed
methods research for intervention refinement, and (3) community-engaged clinical trials. These training goals are
supported by (1) a team of expert mentors (Vranceanu, Jackson, Joo, and Shallcross), advisors (Mischoulon, Parker,
Okereke), and a community ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10883665
- **Project number:** 5K23AT012363-02
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Tony V Pham
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $169,556
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-06 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10883665

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10883665, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for the chronic pain-depression co-morbidity among older Blacks in the community; The Quiet Focus study (5K23AT012363-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10883665. Licensed CC0.

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