Intensive Treatment for Chronic Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Objectives:

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an intensive integrated
treatment for Veterans with comorbid chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A secondary objective is to examine potential mechanisms of action that might account for
improvements in pain or PTSD. Third, exploratory analyses will be conducted to assess the
relationship between participation in treatment and cognitive functioning. It is
hypothesized that 1) participants receiving the intensive treatment (PT) will report
significantly greater decreases in symptoms of pain and PTSD from pre-treatment to
post-treatment when compared to participants randomized to a standard care (SC) condition,
and 2) participants receiving PT will show greater maintenance of change on measures of pain
and PTSD at 3 months following the completion of treatment when compared to participants
randomized to the SC condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients will be eligible to participate if they have constant pain of at least three
months duration with a neurologic or musculoskeletal etiology.

- Patients must also meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with life threatening or acute physical illness, current alcohol or
substance abuse, current psychosis or suicidal ideation, and individuals seeking pain
treatment such as surgical interventions will be excluded.