A protocol for a wait list control trial of an intervention to improve pain and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older women living with disabilities.

BACKGROUND

Women aging with disabilities experience higher rates of chronic pain and co-occurring depressive symptoms than women without disabilities and men with and without disabilities. Pain and depression can exacerbate the inability to fulfill social roles and complete activities of daily living among women with disabilities. Although there are existing interventions for both pain and depressive symptoms, few interventions have been developed with women aging with disabilities that address both chronic pain and depressive symptoms.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to ascertain the acceptability and feasibility of the Women in Pain Reduction & Improved Mood through Empowerment (PRIME) intervention in a sample of middle-aged and older women living with pain, depressive symptoms, and physical disabilities (i.e., mobility disability).

METHODS

In this wait-list, randomized controlled trial we will assess the intervention's 1) feasibility by determining recruitment and retention rates; 2) acceptability through qualitative interviews with all enrolled participants; and 3) preliminary efficacy by determining changes in pain and depressive symptoms between immediate intervention and waitlist control participants to estimate effect sizes to inform future research.

CONCLUSION

This intervention has two main components, which have the potential to decrease pain and depressive symptoms and lead to increased quality of life. It is imperative that clinical trials are designed and structured with the partnership and needs of women with disabilities at the center. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05619510, 11/09/2022.