Cognitive Training to Enhance Brain Concordance During Acupuncture
Start Date
2/16/2024
Completion Date
6/30/2027
Summary
This study will evaluate the impact of a novel non-pharmacological multimodal therapy, a type of approach known to improve pain outcomes and recommended by the Institute of Medicine report for chronic pain management. This study design will also allow the investigators to evaluate a neural model supporting therapeutic alliance for pain outcomes for fibromyalgia.
Detailed Description
The patient-clinician interaction is central to most therapies and is supported by key interpersonal mechanisms of action such as clinician empathy, therapeutic alliance, and trust. However, the neural underpinnings of this effect are mostly unknown. The investigators' recently published study applied functional MRI (fMRI) hyperscanning (i.e. simultaneously neuroimaging chronic pain patients and clinicians in synchronized MRI scanners) demonstrated that brain-to-brain concordance in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is up-regulated following a clinical interaction and associated with patient analgesia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder in great need of novel therapies. This study will evaluate the impact of a novel multimodal therapy, a type of approach known to improve pain outcomes and recommended by the Institute of Medicine report for chronic pain management. The study design will also allow the investigators to evaluate a neural model supporting therapeutic alliance for pain outcomes for fibromyalgia wherein training and acupuncture will synergistically target a critical therapeutic pathway - i.e., patient-provider alliance, instantiated by TPJ concordance.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 18 years to 65 years
Interventions
Electroacupuncture
Cognitive Training
Education Training
Conditions
Locations
Massachusetts General Hospital
Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
United States
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467
United States