Chronic Back Pain Research Study
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are conducting a study on digital pain reprocessing therapy for adults with chronic back pain.
Fast Facts
Chronic Back Pain
21-70
Years Old
Compensation
Provided
NYC Metro Area
Study Background
Exploring New Approaches to Chronic Pain Relief
Chronic back pain affects millions of adults, often disrupting daily life, emotional well-being, and mobility. Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine are studying a promising new approach called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), which helps retrain the brain’s response to pain. This study compares two digital formats of PRT — one-on-one coaching and a self-paced app experience — with standard care provided by Mount Sinai physiatrists, who are medical doctors specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups and supported through a 5-week intervention. All groups complete assessments before and after the intervention, with follow-up check-ins at 1 and 6 months. Many components of the study are available remotely, and eligible participants may receive up to $150 for their time and contribution.
Study Background
Exploring New Approaches to Chronic Pain Relief
Chronic back pain affects millions of adults, often disrupting daily life and emotional well-being. This study explores a promising new approach called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), which aims to reduce pain by retraining the brain’s response to physical discomfort. Researchers are evaluating two digital formats of PRT — one-on-one coaching and a self-paced app experience — and comparing them to standard care provided by Mount Sinai physiatrists, who are medical doctors specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups and supported through a 5-week intervention period. All groups complete assessments before and after the intervention, with follow-up check-ins at 1 and 6 months. The study is designed to be flexible, with many components available remotely, and participants may receive up to $150 for their time and contribution.
Additional Information
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are studying how digital Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) may help reduce chronic back pain by retraining the brain’s response to pain. The goal is to evaluate whether these tools can offer lasting relief and improve quality of life for people living with chronic pain.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Are between the ages of 21 and 70
- Have chronic back pain that has lasted for at least 3 months
- Rate your pain as 4 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10. (Moderate to severe)
- Are able to communicate via email or text message
- Are willing to attend an in-person consultation at Mount Sinai
Exclusion Criteria:
- Your back pain is linked to legal compensation or litigation in the past year
- Your leg pain is greater than your back pain
- You have Cauda Equina syndrome (difficulty controlling bowel or bladder function)
- You have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder, or dissociative identity disorder
- You currently use intravenous drugs
Screening: You’ll complete a brief questionnaire to confirm eligibility.
Enrollment: If eligible, you’ll be enrolled and complete baseline assessments.
Group Assignment: You’ll be randomly assigned to one of three groups:
One-on-one PRT coaching
Self-paced PRT using a mobile app
Standard care with a Mount Sinai physiatrist
Intervention Period: Each group receives support for about 5 weeks.
Post-Intervention Assessment: You’ll complete follow-up surveys after the intervention.
Follow-Up: Additional check-ins happen at 1 month and 6 months after your intervention ends.
Yes — eligible participants may receive up to $150 for completing all study activities. You’ll also have access to coaching, app-based tools, or a consultation with a Mount Sinai specialist, depending on your group assignment.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.