N/A Completed N=44 Randomized Double-blind Treatment

Suicide Prevention for Patients With Chronic Pain

Suicide · Postoperative Pain

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04490265 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

13.6%

Results posted

Jul 2025

Primary outcomePrimary: Social Problem-solving Inventory - Patient Report — 8.12; 3.64 score on a scale

Summary

Patients with chronic pain and moderate suicide risk (n=60) will be randomized to receive remote-PST or remote-supportive psychotherapy. We will assess problem-solving deficits through self-report, objective neuropsychological assessment and caregiver report. We have used an adaptive design so that if there is strong evidence for target engagement, we will continue with the trial as a fully powered clinical trial (i.e., the end of the current proposal will act as the interim assessment) to the determine the efficacy of remote PST for patients with chronic pain and moderate suicide risk (n=190) to improve suicide outcomes.

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Social Problem-solving Inventory - Patient Report	8.31; -.24	—
PRIMARY Emotional Go No Go	-.01; .06	—
PRIMARY Means End Problem-Solving Task	-1.36; 0.29	—
PRIMARY Iowa Gambling Task	23.33; 26.14	—
PRIMARY Emotional Stroop	59.21; 13.50; 123.00; 59.49; 55.50; 72.71	—
SECONDARY Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire	-2.37; -.81; -4.37; -.5; -.4; -.79	—

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion criteria will include:

has a VA primary care provider and has had an in-person visit with a VA provider in the past year;
pain that is (b1) musculoskeletal, defined as regional (joints, limbs, back, neck) or more generalized (chronic widespread pain);
pain that is (b2) moderately severe, defined as a Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) intensity item score of 5 or higher for either "average" or "worst" pain in the past week;
pain that is (b3) persistent, (i.e., ≥3 months)
active suicidal ideation defined as scoring a 2 to 4 on the C-SSRS.

Exclusion Criteria

life-threatening condition
severe cognitive impairment
psychotic disorder
pregnant or plans to become pregnant in the next year
suicide attempt in the past year or hospitalization for suicide risk in the past year

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04490265). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.