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Hip DysplasiaNCT04039386

Psychosocial Interventions for Young Adults With Hip Pain

A study testing Cell Phone Based Cognitive Based Therapy (Pacifica App) in people with Hip Dysplasia and Hip Pain Chronic, run by Michael C Willey at 1 site in United States.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Psychosocial conditions are common in young adults with hip pain including depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and narcotic use. The incidence of these conditions is not well defined. Interventions to optimize psychosocial conditions with non-surgical or surgical treatments has not been investigated. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 15 to 39 years
What is being tested?
Cell Phone Based Cognitive Based Therapy (Pacifica App)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
150 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Sep 2026to 1 Aug 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 15 to 39 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • We will enroll young adults (15-39) presenting to one of several physical therapy and orthopedic practices in the state of Iowa for treatment of nonarthritic hip pain.
  • Chief complaint of hip pain or dysfunction, and a diagnosis of a nonarthritic hip condition including labral tear, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), snapping hip, femoral anteversion or dysplasia.

Who cannot join

  • Difficulty with written English
  • Treatment for alternative conditions such as trochanteric bursitis, hip dislocation, avascular necrosis or fracture.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Michael C Willey contact

3193561616

michael-willey@uiowa.edu

John Davison, MPH contact

3193846529

john-davison@uiowa.edu

United States1 site
  • University of Iowa

    Iowa City, Iowa, 52242

    Michael C Willey, MD, 3193561616 ext. 3193561616, michael-willey@uiowa.edu

    Michael C Willey, 3193561616 ext. 3193561616, michael-willey@uiowa.edu

Other trials in United States

About this study

Psychosocial conditions are common in young adults with hip pain including depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and narcotic use. The incidence of these conditions is not well defined. Interventions to optimize psychosocial conditions with non-surgical or surgical treatments has not been investigated. The goal of this project is to determine the incidence of psychosocial conditions in the young adult population with hip pain and determine if cognitive based therapy can improve clinical outcomes in these individuals.

Read the detailed description

Over the last 3 decades there has been a drastic increase in the number of joint preservation surgeries performed for pre-arthritic hip conditions in the United States. Despite advances in surgical technique and the understanding of the biomechanics of impingement and dysplasia, failure rates range from 5-20% at early follow up, and can be even higher with continued monitoring. These failures are often attributed to the presence of pre-operative osteoarthritis, increased age, or unaddressed structural deformity. The influence of psychosocial factors on surgical and rehabilitative outcomes has been recognized in multiple populations, but has largely been ignored in individuals with hip pathology, in spite of growing recognition by clinicians as to how psychosocial factors may contribute to patient outcomes. Previous investigations have demonstrated poor mental health is associated with pre-operative narcotic use and lower physical function. Further, the investigators have identified certain psychiatric diagnoses as independent factors associated with failure of hip arthroscopy. Addressing these often complex psychosocial issues using cognitive based therapy has been successful in improving outcomes across a range of medical conditions. Further investigation into the incidence of these psychosocial conditions, their contributions to surgical and non-surgical outcomes, and interventions for mental health optimization need to be performed in musculoskeletal medicine, specifically in the developing field of hip preservation surgery. The goal of this project is to (1) understand the burden of maladaptive psychosocial traits in young adult patients with hip pain, and (2) reduce pain, decrease narcotic use, and improve physical function through psychosocial intervention delivered concomitantly during physical therapy. The investigators seek to maximize outcomes of individuals with non-arthritic hip dysfunction by addressing maladaptive behaviors so subjects can more effectively participate in rehabilitative treatment, and potentially, avoid the need for surgical management.

Being tested
Cell Phone Based Cognitive Based Therapy (Pacifica App), Control
Keywords
Hip Pain, Hip Instability, Hip Impingement, Cognitive Based Therapy, Psychosocial Conditions
Medical subject headings
Hip Dislocation, Osteoarthritis, Hip

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Cell Phone Based Cognitive Based Therapy (Pacifica App)Device

    Cell phone application that provides support for individuals with psychosocial conditions.

  • ControlOther

    Also called Standard Care

    Subjects in the control group will receive standard care.

Study groups in NCT04039386
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Cell Phone Based Cognitive Based TherapyExperimentalYoung adults with hip pain
Receives: Device: Cell Phone Based Cognitive Based Therapy (Pacifica App)
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorYoung adults with hip pain
Receives: Other: Control

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in level of Depression (DASS-21)

    Assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • General adult population average total score: 9.43 (standard deviation (SD) 9.66), out of a total possible score of 63 points,
    • Indication of significant difference from normative data: Average score >1 SD above the General adult population average total score
    • General adult population average depression sub scale score: 2.83 (SD 3.87)
    • Values above 9.03 points in the depression subsection score correlate with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorders
    • A change of 3.86 or more points in the depression subscore reliably represents clinical improvement.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  2. Changes in level of Depression (PROMIS)

    Assessed using the Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information (PROMIS): Depression. An electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • Normative T-score generated from US adult population data: mean 50 (SD 10).
    • For this study, an average T-score <40 would be considered significantly different compared to normative values.
    • The minimally important difference (MID) of 3.0-3.1 calculated from research in nonoperative treatment of knee osteoarthritis will be representative of clinical improvement at eight weeks.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  3. Changes in level of Anxiety (DASS-21)

    Assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • General adult population average total score: 9.43 (SD 9.66)
    • An average total score >1 SD above the mean would be considered significantly different from normative data
    • General adult population average anxiety subscale scores: 1.88±2.95
    • Average anxiety subsection score above 6.27 correlate with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorders
    • A change of 3.85 or more points in the anxiety subscore reliably represents clinical improvement.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  4. Changes in level of Anxiety (PROMIS)

    Assessed using the Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information (PROMIS): Anxiety. An electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • Normative T-score generated from US adult population data: mean 50 (SD 10).
    • For this study, an average T-score <40 would be considered significantly different compared to normative values.
    • The minimally important difference (MID) of 2.3 to 3.4 calculated from research in nonoperative treatment of knee osteoarthritis will be representative of clinical improvement at eight weeks.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  5. Changes in level of Stress (DAAS-21)

    Assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • General adult population average total score: 9.43 (SD 9.66)
    • An average total score >1 SD above the mean would be considered significantly different from normative data
    • General adult population average stress subscale scores: 4.73±4.20
    • Average stress subsection score above 12.27 correlate with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorders
    • A change of 4.90 or more points in the anxiety subscore reliably represents clinical improvement.

    Measured: 8 Weeks

  6. Evaluating the presence and severity of Kinesiophobia

    Assessed via the Shortened Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • The survey is a 11-question test scored from 11-44, where higher scores indicate increasing fear of movement.
    • A value of 11 is presumed in a nonpainful population.
    • Adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain undergoing outpatient chronic pain therapy report an average TSK score of 30.4 (+/- 6.6).
    • Successful evaluation of Kinesiophobia will be indicated if increases in TSK-11 scores are found to be significantly associated with increased pain and decreased physical function (HOOS, PROMIS-PI, PROMIS-PB, PROMIS-PF) or increased self-reporting of opioid use.
    • The finding of no significant association, but increased presence of maladaptive features compared to normative data for US adolescents would also be considered a successful finding.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  7. Evaluation of Resiliency

    Assessed via The Brief Resiliency Scale (BRS) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • An 8 question survey scored from 1-5 points
    • The average score for US adults age 24-34 is 3.2 (SD 0.7)
    • A statistically significant lower Grit score would be >1SD below this average value.
    • Successful evaluation of Grit will be indicated if increases in GRIT-S scores are found to be significantly associated with increased pain and decreased physical function (HOOS, PROMIS-PI, PROMIS-PB, PROMIS-PF) or increased self-reporting of opioid use.
    • The finding of no significant association, but increased presence of maladaptive features compared to normative data for US adolescents would also be considered a successful finding.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  8. Evaluation of Grit

    Assessed via The Short Grit Scale (GRIT-S) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • A 6-question test with low resiliency defined as a score of <3.00.
    • Prior descriptive studies indicate an average score of 3.57 (SD 0.76) for young adults age 19.8±3.0 years.
    • Statistically significant lower resilience would be >1SD below this average value.
    • Successful evaluation of Resiliency will be indicated if increases in GRIT-S scores are found to be significantly associated with increased pain and decreased physical function (HOOS, PROMIS-PI, PROMIS-PB, PROMIS-PF) or increased self-reporting of opioid use.
    • The finding of no significant association, but increased presence of maladaptive features compared to normative data for US adolescents (for those tests where this data exists) would also be considered a successful finding.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  9. Evaluating the presence and severity of Pain Catastrophizing

    Assessed via Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • Scored on a 13 point scale.
    • Normative average values from a population of adults adults age 42.2 (17-63 years) with low back pain: mean 20.90 (SD 12.5),
    • Successful evaluation of Pain Catastrophization will be indicated if increases in PCS scores are found to be significantly associated with increased pain and decreased physical function (HOOS, PROMIS-PI, PROMIS-PB, PROMIS-PF) or increased self-reporting of opioid use.
    • The finding of no significant association, but increased presence of maladaptive features compared to normative data for US adolescents would also be considered a successful finding.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  10. Evaluating Self-Efficacy

    Assessed via The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • 10-question test, scored from 10-40, with lower scores representing low self efficacy.
    • Average US adult values: 29.48 (SD 5.13)
    • Successful evaluation of Self-Efficacy will be indicated if increases in GSE scores are found to be significantly associated with increased pain and decreased physical function (HOOS, PROMIS-PI, PROMIS-PB, PROMIS-PF) or increased self-reporting of opioid use.
    • The finding of no significant association, but increased presence of maladaptive features compared to normative data for US adolescents would also be considered a successful finding.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  11. Evaluating the presence and severity of Alcohol Use Disorders

    Assessed via Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaire

    • A 10-question test with a threshold score >7 considered "AUDIT-positive", indicating risky or hazardous alcohol use behavior.
    • National data suggests 15-20% of US 14-18 year olds screen positive
    • Successful evaluation of Alcohol Use Disorders will be indicated if increases in AUDIT scores are found to be significantly associated with increased pain and decreased physical function (HOOS, PROMIS-PI, PROMIS-PB, PROMIS-PF) or increased self-reporting of opioid use.
    • The finding of no significant association, but increased presence of maladaptive features compared to normative data for US adolescents would also be considered a successful finding.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  12. Changes in Physical Function (PROMIS)

    Measured via the following electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaires.

    • PROMIS: Physical Function (PF)
    • Normative T-score generated from US adult population data: mean 50 (SD 10).
    • For this study, an average T-score <40 would be considered significantly different compared to normative values.
    • The minimally important difference (MID) of 1.9 - 2.2 calculated from research in nonoperative treatment of knee osteoarthritis will be representative of clinical improvement at eight weeks.

    Measured: 8 weeks

  13. Changes in Physical Function (HOOS)

    Measured via the following electronically administered patient reported outcome questionnaires.

    • The Hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS)
    • Scored from 0-100
    • Increasing score represent better function.
    • Average scopres for hip preservation patients prior to surgery is well established

    Measured: 8 weeks

  14. Reduced Opioid Use

    Measured via self reported opioid use after surgery

    Measured: 8 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted31 Jul 2019
  2. Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 Aug 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Aug 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
150 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04039386
Sponsor's protocol ID
1111
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
16 May 2019
Last updated
15 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Cell Phone Based Cognitive Based Therapy (Pacifica App) in people with Hip Dysplasia and Hip Pain Chronic, run by Michael C Willey at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Michael C Willey (3193561616, michael-willey@uiowa.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in level of Depression (DASS-21) (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 14 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Apr 2026.

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