Chronic PainDOLORSENTNCT07915440
Application of Meaning-Based Psychotherapy to a Sample of Patients With Chronic Pain
A study testing Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in people with Chronic Pain, run by Hospital Clinico Universitario San Cecilio at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
The aimes of this study is to determine whether Meaning-Based Psychotherapy (MBP) is an effective therapy for improving sense of purpose, reducing depression, and improving quality of life in people with chronic pain and to verify the effectiveness of the MBP intervention for participants in a randomized controlled… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Pain
- What is being tested?
- Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 118 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 10 Jul 2025to May 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 18 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants will be adults;
- Patients treated at Mental Health Service for anxiety and depressive symptoms related to chronic non-cancer pain; the diagnosis will be recorded according to the ICD-10 criteria identified in their medical records.
- Tendency to catastrophize pain (score greater than 30 on the Pain Catastrophizing Questionnaire (García-Campayo, J., 2008));
- Low sense of purpose or lack of a defined sense of purpose in life (score less than 105 on the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) (Crumbaugh \& Maholick, 1969).
Who cannot join
- Diagnoses of a severe mental disorder (schizophrenia, substance dependence, dementia, or cognitive impairment) identified through information obtained in a clinical interview or digital health record.
- Severe suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt within the last 6 months. This will be assessed using responses to item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory (2nd ed.). This item is commonly used in clinical studies to identify suicidal ideation and has proven to be a good predictor of suicidal intent and risk (Green et al. 2015, von Brachel et al. 2018). Participants with recent suicide attempts or whose response to item 3 ("I would commit suicide if I had the opportunity") will be excluded, as this indicates suicidal intent and a higher risk of suicide (Green et al. 2015). In such cases, referral to the appropriate mental health service will be prioritized according to protocol.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Leyre Hidalgo-Lopez, Clinical Psychologist contact
Spain1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Hospital Universitario San Cecilio
Granada, Granada, 18008
Leyre Hidalgo Lopez, Clinical Psychologist, +34665755444, leire.hidalgo.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
About this study
Official title: APPLICATION OF MEANING-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPY TO A SAMPLE OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN
The aimes of this study is to determine whether Meaning-Based Psychotherapy (MBP) is an effective therapy for improving sense of purpose, reducing depression, and improving quality of life in people with chronic pain and to verify the effectiveness of the MBP intervention for participants in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) by comparing it with the optimized usual care (Cognitive-behavioural Psychotherapy por chronic pain).
Read the detailed description
Psychological interventions aimed at pain management arise from the need to provide a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses the multidimensional nature of the pain experience: sensory-discriminative, cognitive-evaluative, and affective-emotional dimensions. The goal of these interventions is to enable individuals with chronic pain to understand the factors that modulate their pain experience, to be able to live with and cope with its associated difficulties, and to strengthen their personal resources and coping skills.
Meaning-based psychotherapy (MBP) is designed to help people cope with unexpected or chronic adverse situations, so that participants can, despite their circumstances, build a fulfilling life. Recent studies on the effectiveness of MBP have found that it is effective in reducing depressive and anxious symptoms and increasing a sense of purpose in vulnerable individuals. Logotherapy and MBP are effective in improving meaning in life, spiritual well-being, and quality of life, as well as in reducing depression and anxiety in people with depression, people with complex grief, vulnerable individuals , people with cancer, and people with chronic illnesses. These results, along with those found in meta-analysis studies, suggest that MBP is effective in improving meaning in life, hope, optimism, self-efficacy, well-being, quality of life, and reducing stress
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Being tested
- Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
- Keywords
- Chronic pain, Meaning Based Psychotherapy, Randomized Control Trial, Cognitive-behabioural Therapy, Meaning in Life, Depression
- Medical subject headings
- Chronic Pain, Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Meaning Based Group PsychotherapyBehavioural
Module 1: Introduction to MBP. Acquired illnesses and the loss of meaning in life. How can we develop a low sense of purpose in life? Module 2: Psychoeducation on MBP. Module 3: Human experiences occur in three dimensions: biological, psychological, and the noetic/meaning dimension. Sources of meaning.
Module 4: Creative sources of meaning and experiential sources of meaning. Module 5: The noetic/meaning dimension is the compass of our life. Module 6: Sources of attitudinal meaning. Transforming an unexpected situation into a personal triumph.
Module 7: Responsibility as a source of meaning. Module 8: The past is a potential source of enduring meaning. Module 9: The capacity for self-transcendence Module 10: Development and processing of your book of Life.
Cognitive Behavioural PsychotherapyBehavioural
Module 1: Understanding the multidimensional experience of pain Module 2: Identifying emotions and aspects related to pain I Module 3: Identifying emotions and aspects related to pain II Module 4: Emotional regulation strategies Module 5: Cognitive restructuring and flexibility Module 6: Mindfulness exercises Module 7: Participation in graded activities Module 8: Interpersonal Problem and Conflict Resolution Module 9: Relaxation Exercises Module 10: Relapse Prevention
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy | Experimental | Meaning-Based Psychotherapy (MBP) Protocol. The intervention consists of 10 modules of treatment defined in 15 sessions held over 4 months, in a group format of two hours each, on a weekly basis Receives: Behavioral: Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy |
| Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy | Active comparator | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for pain will be applied, including: psychoeducational content, training in emotional regulation strategies, attention and relaxation exercises, and problem and conflict resolution. 10 modules will be implemented over 15 sessions following Kovacs and Moix Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Chronic Pain Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Beck Depression Inventory
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck et al., 1996), consisting of 21 items with four response options (0-4), assesses depressive symptoms. It establishes different quantitative ranges of depression: absent or minimal depression (< 13), mild to moderate depression (14-19), moderate depression (20-28), and severe depression (>28). We will use the Spanish version (Sanz et al., 2005), which has adequate reliability (α = .93). It includes two subscales: a cognitive-affective subscale and a somatic-motivational subscale.
Measured: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)
The MLQ is a self-reported questionnaire made up of 10 items, and it was developed to assess the two main dimensions of meaning in life: presence and search for meaning in life. The items are rated on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (absolutely false) to 7 (absolutely true). The factors of Presence and Search were correlated (r = -.19), and internal consistency was good for Presence (.86) and Search (.87). One-month test-retest reliability coefficients were .70 for Presence and .73 for Search.
Measured: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS)
The MEMS assesses the dimensions of meaning in life: Understanding, Purpose, and Significance, with a total of 15 items. Likert-type responses are given on a 7-point scale (1 = Strongly disagree; 7 = Strongly agree). We will use the Spanish version (Marco et al., 2022), where the three MEMS subscales showed adequate internal consistency: Understanding (ϖ = .91), Purpose (ϖ = .92), and Significance (ϖ = .86).
Measured: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 6-month follow up
Purpose In Life (PIL)
In this study, we used Part A of the PIL, which consists of 20 items with a Likert-type scale (1 to 7). It provides a measure of the level of achievement of meaning in life. Items include: "Life seems completely boring to me," with a Likert-type response (ranging from "1 = completely routine" to "7 = always exciting"). Scores range from 20 to 140 points, with three levels: scores below 90 indicate a level of existential emptiness, scores between 90 and 105 indicate a level of uncertainty regarding the meaning of life, and scores above 105 indicate a level of achievement of meaning. We used the Spanish version (Noblejas de la Flor, 2000), which has adequate reliability (α = .88).
Measured: [Time Frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow up
Pain Catastrophizing Scale
Validation of the Spanish version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale in fibromyalgia. Medicina Clínica, 131(13), 487-492. It measures the tendency to have exaggerated negative thoughts about pain, such as ruminating about suffering or feeling hopeless. It consists of 13 items grouped into three subscales: rumination, magnification, and helplessness. It is useful for predicting pain intensity, disability, and response to treatment. A validated Spanish version exists for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain with a reliability of (α = 0.79).
Measured: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow up
Secondary outcomes (2)
Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS)
The OASIS is a five-item instrument that assesses the frequency and intensity of anxiety symptoms during the past week. In addition, it measures interference in work and academic, social, and daily life domains, as well as avoidance behaviors. The items are rated on a Likert-type scale (0-4). The psychometric properties are good in terms of internal consistency (α= 0.86), convergent and discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change (α= 0.86).
Measured: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire
Validation of the Spanish version of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) for the assessment of acceptance in fibromyalgia. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 8, 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-8-37). It assesses acceptance of chronic pain, including willingness to experience pain and maintain activities. It measures behavioral flexibility and functional adaptation to pain. Higher levels of acceptance have been shown to be associated with less depression and better functioning. It is available in a Spanish version, including a short, 8-item version with adequate reliability (α = 0.83).
Measured: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Nov 2026
- Study start10 Jul 2025
- Primary completionFeb 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Chronic PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized Trial Efficacy study
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 118 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hospital Clinico Universitario San Cecilio
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Valencia
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Leyre Hidalgo Lopez, Hospital Clinico Universitario San Cecilio
- Investigators
- Heliodoro Marco Salvador, Ph.D, Study director, University of ValenciaSoledad Quero Castellano, Ph.D, Study director, University Jaume I
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07915440
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SICEIA-2025-002883
- Acronym
- DOLORSENT
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Moix J, Kovacs FM, Martin A, Plana MN, Royuela A; Spanish Back Pain Research Network. Catastrophizing, state anxiety, anger, and depressive symptoms do not correlate with disability when variations of trait anxiety are taken into account. a study of chronic low back pain patients treated in Spanish pain units [NCT00360802]. Pain Med. 2011 Jul;12(7):1008-17. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01155.x. Epub 2011 Jun 13.
PubMed 21668743Winger JG, Ramos K, Kelleher SA, Somers TJ, Steinhauser KE, Porter LS, Kamal AH, Breitbart WS, Keefe FJ. Meaning-Centered Pain Coping Skills Training: A Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Psychosocial Pain Management Intervention for Patients with Advanced Cancer. J Palliat Med. 2022 Jan;25(1):60-69. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0081. Epub 2021 Aug 12.
PubMed 34388037Breitbart W, Poppito S, Rosenfeld B, Vickers AJ, Li Y, Abbey J, Olden M, Pessin H, Lichtenthal W, Sjoberg D, Cassileth BR. Pilot randomized controlled trial of individual meaning-centered psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Apr 20;30(12):1304-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2011.36.2517. Epub 2012 Feb 27.
PubMed 22370330van der Spek N, Vos J, van Uden-Kraan CF, Breitbart W, Cuijpers P, Holtmaat K, Witte BI, Tollenaar RAEM, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM. Efficacy of meaning-centered group psychotherapy for cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Psychol Med. 2017 Aug;47(11):1990-2001. doi: 10.1017/S0033291717000447. Epub 2017 Apr 4.
PubMed 28374663Breitbart W, Rosenfeld B, Pessin H, Kaim M, Funesti-Esch J, Galietta M, Nelson CJ, Brescia R. Depression, hopelessness, and desire for hastened death in terminally ill patients with cancer. JAMA. 2000 Dec 13;284(22):2907-11. doi: 10.1001/jama.284.22.2907.
PubMed 11147988Marco JH, Alonso S, Banos R. Meaning-making as a mediator of anxiety and depression reduction during cognitive behavioral therapy intervention in participants with adjustment disorders. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2021 Mar;28(2):325-333. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2506. Epub 2020 Sep 10.
PubMed 32881109
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- APPLICATION OF MEANING-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPY TO A SAMPLE OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07915440
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DOLORSENT / SICEIA-2025-002883
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Keywords
- Chronic pain, Meaning Based Psychotherapy, Randomized Control Trial, Cognitive-behabioural Therapy, Meaning in Life, Depression
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 118 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hospital Clinico Universitario San CecilioUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Valencia
- Study start
- 10 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Feb 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- May 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Nov 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aimes of this study is to determine whether Meaning-Based Psychotherapy (MBP) is an effective therapy for improving sense of purpose, reducing depression, and improving quality of life in people with chronic pain and to verify the effectiveness of the MBP intervention for participants in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) by comparing it with the optimized usual care (Cognitive-behavioural Psychotherapy por chronic pain).
Detailed description
Psychological interventions aimed at pain management arise from the need to provide a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses the multidimensional nature of the pain experience: sensory-discriminative, cognitive-evaluative, and affective-emotional dimensions. The goal of these interventions is to enable individuals with chronic pain to understand the factors that modulate their pain experience, to be able to live with and cope with its associated difficulties, and to strengthen their personal resources and coping skills.
Meaning-based psychotherapy (MBP) is designed to help people cope with unexpected or chronic adverse situations, so that participants can, despite their circumstances, build a fulfilling life. Recent studies on the effectiveness of MBP have found that it is effective in reducing depressive and anxious symptoms and increasing a sense of purpose in vulnerable individuals. Logotherapy and MBP are effective in improving meaning in life, spiritual well-being, and quality of life, as well as in reducing depression and anxiety in people with depression, people with complex grief, vulnerable individuals , people with cancer, and people with chronic illnesses. These results, along with those found in meta-analysis studies, suggest that MBP is effective in improving meaning in life, hope, optimism, self-efficacy, well-being, quality of life, and reducing stress
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized Trial Efficacy study
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy | Experimental | Behavioral: Meaning Based Group PsychotherapyMeaning-Based Psychotherapy (MBP) Protocol. The intervention consists of 10 modules of treatment defined in 15 sessions held over 4 months, in a group format of two hours each, on a weekly basis |
| Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy | Active comparator | Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioural PsychotherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy for pain will be applied, including: psychoeducational content, training in emotional regulation strategies, attention and relaxation exercises, and problem and conflict resolution. 10 modules will be implemented over 15 sessions following Kovacs and Moix Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Chronic Pain |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participants will be adults;
- Patients treated at Mental Health Service for anxiety and depressive symptoms related to chronic non-cancer pain; the diagnosis will be recorded according to the ICD-10 criteria identified in their medical records.
- Tendency to catastrophize pain (score greater than 30 on the Pain Catastrophizing Questionnaire (García-Campayo, J., 2008));
- Low sense of purpose or lack of a defined sense of purpose in life (score less than 105 on the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) (Crumbaugh \& Maholick, 1969).
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Diagnoses of a severe mental disorder (schizophrenia, substance dependence, dementia, or cognitive impairment) identified through information obtained in a clinical interview or digital health record.
- Severe suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt within the last 6 months. This will be assessed using responses to item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory (2nd ed.). This item is commonly used in clinical studies to identify suicidal ideation and has proven to be a good predictor of suicidal intent and risk (Green et al. 2015, von Brachel et al. 2018). Participants with recent suicide attempts or whose response to item 3 ("I would commit suicide if I had the opportunity") will be excluded, as this indicates suicidal intent and a higher risk of suicide (Green et al. 2015). In such cases, referral to the appropriate mental health service will be prioritized according to protocol.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning Based Group PsychotherapyModule 1: Introduction to MBP. Acquired illnesses and the loss of meaning in life. How can we develop a low sense of purpose in life? Module 2: Psychoeducation on MBP. Module 3: Human experiences occur in three dimensions: biological, psychological, and the noetic/meaning dimension. Sources of meaning. Module 4: Creative sources of meaning and experiential sources of meaning. Module 5: The noetic/meaning dimension is the compass of our life. Module 6: Sources of attitudinal meaning. Transforming an unexpected situation into a personal triumph. Module 7: Responsibility as a source of meaning. Module 8: The past is a potential source of enduring meaning. Module 9: The capacity for self-transcendence Module 10: Development and processing of your book of Life. | Behavioural | Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy |
| Cognitive Behavioural PsychotherapyModule 1: Understanding the multidimensional experience of pain Module 2: Identifying emotions and aspects related to pain I Module 3: Identifying emotions and aspects related to pain II Module 4: Emotional regulation strategies Module 5: Cognitive restructuring and flexibility Module 6: Mindfulness exercises Module 7: Participation in graded activities Module 8: Interpersonal Problem and Conflict Resolution Module 9: Relaxation Exercises Module 10: Relapse Prevention | Behavioural | Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy |
Primary outcome
Beck Depression Inventory
Time frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck et al., 1996), consisting of 21 items with four response options (0-4), assesses depressive symptoms. It establishes different quantitative ranges of depression: absent or minimal depression (< 13), mild to moderate depression (14-19), moderate depression (20-28), and severe depression (>28). We will use the Spanish version (Sanz et al., 2005), which has adequate reliability (α = .93). It includes two subscales: a cognitive-affective subscale and a somatic-motivational subscale.
Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)
Time frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
The MLQ is a self-reported questionnaire made up of 10 items, and it was developed to assess the two main dimensions of meaning in life: presence and search for meaning in life. The items are rated on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (absolutely false) to 7 (absolutely true). The factors of Presence and Search were correlated (r = -.19), and internal consistency was good for Presence (.86) and Search (.87). One-month test-retest reliability coefficients were .70 for Presence and .73 for Search.
The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS)
Time frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 6-month follow up
The MEMS assesses the dimensions of meaning in life: Understanding, Purpose, and Significance, with a total of 15 items. Likert-type responses are given on a 7-point scale (1 = Strongly disagree; 7 = Strongly agree). We will use the Spanish version (Marco et al., 2022), where the three MEMS subscales showed adequate internal consistency: Understanding (ϖ = .91), Purpose (ϖ = .92), and Significance (ϖ = .86).
Purpose In Life (PIL)
Time frame: [Time Frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow up
In this study, we used Part A of the PIL, which consists of 20 items with a Likert-type scale (1 to 7). It provides a measure of the level of achievement of meaning in life. Items include: "Life seems completely boring to me," with a Likert-type response (ranging from "1 = completely routine" to "7 = always exciting"). Scores range from 20 to 140 points, with three levels: scores below 90 indicate a level of existential emptiness, scores between 90 and 105 indicate a level of uncertainty regarding the meaning of life, and scores above 105 indicate a level of achievement of meaning. We used the Spanish version (Noblejas de la Flor, 2000), which has adequate reliability (α = .88).
Pain Catastrophizing Scale
Time frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow up
Validation of the Spanish version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale in fibromyalgia. Medicina Clínica, 131(13), 487-492. It measures the tendency to have exaggerated negative thoughts about pain, such as ruminating about suffering or feeling hopeless. It consists of 13 items grouped into three subscales: rumination, magnification, and helplessness. It is useful for predicting pain intensity, disability, and response to treatment. A validated Spanish version exists for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain with a reliability of (α = 0.79).
2 secondary outcomes
Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS)
Time frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire
Time frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Nov 2026.
- Background: PubMed 21668743Moix J, Kovacs FM, Martin A, Plana MN, Royuela A; Spanish Back Pain Research Network. Catastrophizing, state anxiety, anger, and depressive symptoms do not correlate with disability when variations of trait anxiety are taken into account. a study of chronic low back pain patients treated in Spanish pain units [NCT00360802]. Pain Med. 2011 Jul;12(7):1008-17. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01155.x. Epub 2011 Jun 13.
- Background: PubMed 34388037Winger JG, Ramos K, Kelleher SA, Somers TJ, Steinhauser KE, Porter LS, Kamal AH, Breitbart WS, Keefe FJ. Meaning-Centered Pain Coping Skills Training: A Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Psychosocial Pain Management Intervention for Patients with Advanced Cancer. J Palliat Med. 2022 Jan;25(1):60-69. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0081. Epub 2021 Aug 12.
- Background: PubMed 22370330Breitbart W, Poppito S, Rosenfeld B, Vickers AJ, Li Y, Abbey J, Olden M, Pessin H, Lichtenthal W, Sjoberg D, Cassileth BR. Pilot randomized controlled trial of individual meaning-centered psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Apr 20;30(12):1304-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2011.36.2517. Epub 2012 Feb 27.
- Background: PubMed 28374663van der Spek N, Vos J, van Uden-Kraan CF, Breitbart W, Cuijpers P, Holtmaat K, Witte BI, Tollenaar RAEM, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM. Efficacy of meaning-centered group psychotherapy for cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Psychol Med. 2017 Aug;47(11):1990-2001. doi: 10.1017/S0033291717000447. Epub 2017 Apr 4.
- Background: PubMed 11147988Breitbart W, Rosenfeld B, Pessin H, Kaim M, Funesti-Esch J, Galietta M, Nelson CJ, Brescia R. Depression, hopelessness, and desire for hastened death in terminally ill patients with cancer. JAMA. 2000 Dec 13;284(22):2907-11. doi: 10.1001/jama.284.22.2907.
- Background: PubMed 32881109Marco JH, Alonso S, Banos R. Meaning-making as a mediator of anxiety and depression reduction during cognitive behavioral therapy intervention in participants with adjustment disorders. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2021 Mar;28(2):325-333. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2506. Epub 2020 Sep 10.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Leyre Hidalgo-Lopez, Clinical Psychologist contact
Heliodoro Marco Salvador, Ph.D study director
University of Valencia
Soledad Quero Castellano, Ph.D study director
University Jaume I
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Meaning Based Group Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in people with Chronic Pain, run by Hospital Clinico Universitario San Cecilio at 1 site in Spain.
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 4 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Nov 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 Spain. 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. 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 Leyre Hidalgo-Lopez, Clinical Psychologist (+34665755444, leire.hidalgo.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Beck Depression Inventory (time frame: Changes will be assessed from pre-treatment to immediately after the intervention, and also at 3-month follow-up). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07915440, which also lists 6 linked publications.
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 4 Nov 2026.