Social & Behavioral Rhythms in Chronic Pain

Behavioral and biological rhythms are essential for health. No study evaluated behavioral rhythm or rhythm regulation in chronic pain and how this impacts functioning. The objective of this study is to gather preliminary data, focusing on the role of behavioral rhythms in the cardinal clinical symptoms of chronic pain (i.e., sleep, fatigue, and mood). Additionally, this study will provide preliminary data for the feasibility and acceptability of the therapeutic approach aiming to strengthen behavioral rhythms for patients with chronic pain.

The overall goal of this study is to gather preliminary data, focusing on behavioral rhythms in patients with chronic pain as well as the relationship between behavioral rhythms and the pain-related clinical symptoms. Additionally, this study will provide preliminary data for the feasibility, acceptability, and treatment effects of repurposing interpersonal social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) along with light therapy for patients with chronic pain exhibiting significant rhythm dysregulation, sleep disturbances, and mood symptoms. The deliverables at the end of this project will include 1) preliminary evidence concerning the prevalence of behavioral rhythm disturbances in patients with chronic pain; 2) the association between such behavioral rhythm disruptions and the symptom cluster of pain-sleep-fatigue-mood; 3) feasibility and acceptability of a prototype IPSRT repurposed for chronic pain patients along with bright light therapy. The specific aims of this proposed study are as follows: Aim 1: To evaluate regularity of social and behavioral rhythms (SBR), disruption of circadian activity rhythms (CAR), and the relationship of SBR and CAR with clinical symptoms of pain-sleep-fatigue-mood in chronic pain patients compared to healthy control. Hypothesis 1: Patients with chronic pain will show high degrees of SBR and CAR disruption compared to controls. Hypothesis 2: Patients with increasingly dysregulated SBR and attenuated CAR will exhibit worse clinical symptoms. Hypothesis 3: SBR will be associated with CAR in patients with chronic pain and in controls. Aim 2: To assess feasibility and acceptance of interpersonal social rhythm therapy repurposed for chronic pain patient population along with bright light therapy provided to patients exhibiting SBR disruption with significant sleep and mood symptoms. Hypothesis 1: The IPSRT will be well tolerated and accepted by the patients Hypothesis 2: Descriptive data will suggest improvement of SBR, CAR, and the pain-related symptoms and functioning.