Empowered Relief for Osteoarthritis

This trial aims to determine if a single, 2-hour online class called Empowered Relief can help individuals with advanced osteoarthritis manage pain more effectively. The class imparts skills from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and pain education to alleviate pain and enhance quality of life. The trial compares this innovative approach with standard educational materials for pain management. It suits adults with advanced osteoarthritis who cannot undergo joint replacement surgery due to personal or medical reasons. Participants will attend the class online and have their progress evaluated at three intervals over eight weeks. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management techniques without the constraints of traditional clinical trial phases.

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

Research has shown that Empowered Relief is a safe method for managing chronic pain. In earlier studies, participants found the Empowered Relief class as effective as attending eight sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic low back pain. Notably, there were no reports of serious side effects or safety issues, indicating that patients tolerate the Empowered Relief approach well.

Empowered Relief is a one-time, online class that teaches skills for pain management. It combines CBT techniques, mindfulness, and pain education into a short session. Participants have managed their pain and improved their quality of life without experiencing negative side effects.

Most treatments for osteoarthritis, like NSAIDs and corticosteroids, focus on relieving pain and reducing inflammation. But the Empowered Relief program offers something different. It's a single-session, skills-based pain management class designed to provide rapid pain relief through cognitive and behavioral techniques. Researchers are excited about this approach because it empowers patients to manage their pain without the need for medication, potentially reducing side effects and offering a long-term, sustainable solution.

Research has shown that Empowered Relief (ER), which participants in this trial may receive, effectively manages osteoarthritis pain. One study found that this one-time, online class significantly improved pain-related outcomes. It combines key techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness into a short, easy-to-understand format. Another report indicated that ER works as well as multi-session CBT programs in reducing pain and enhancing quality of life. These findings suggest that ER can help people manage their pain and improve mobility without long therapy sessions.¹²³⁶⁷