Research Center: Boston University
Location: This study will be conducted virtually within the United States
Lead Researcher: Dr. Tibor Palfai
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Boston University-Charles River Campus Institutional Review Board

Are you one of many individuals who have chronic pain?

Researchers at Boston University are looking at ways to help individuals manage chronic pain and associated lifestyle factors, such as drinking, through a smartphone program. If successful, this study will identify skills and resources to reduce the degree to which pain interferes with daily life and to improve overall wellness. This study also looks into better understanding how alcohol and pain are related to one another and how improvements to one may help improve the other.

• Participants will have the opportunity to:
  • Learn about skills to manage chronic pain and how lifestyle factors such as alcohol and stress may influence their pain
  • Contribute valuable information that may benefit others who also experience chronic pain
• Participants will be compensated $100 for completing all components of the study.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Men and women aged 18 and above
• Must regularly consume alcohol or have had at least 4 drinks on one occasion in the past month
• Must be experiencing pain for at least 3 months
• Must be able to participate in 2 remote study visits over the next 3 months

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• The study uses a smartphone-based approach. Participants are in this study for approximately 3 months total. All participants will complete a baseline assessment and a 3-month follow-up assessment. 
  • Participants will be assigned to one of two groups. Those in the first group will have a brief discussion with a study health counselor and will try out a smartphone program for 8 weeks. Each week participants will watch 1-2 short videos, practice skills, and do a 15-minute chat session with the health coach. Those in the second group will be given the opportunity to have access to the smartphone program at the final study visit (without the health coach chat sessions). 
• Participants may learn more about skills and resources on how to manage their chronic pain
• Participants may increase their understanding of how various lifestyle factors such as alcohol and stress influence their chronic pain
• Participants may become familiar with strategies to moderate these lifestyle factors

Boston University
Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. Boston University is committed to generating new knowledge to benefit society.

Please note:
The study will be conducted remotely which means there will be no in-person visits, allowing you to participate in the comfort of your own home.