Study Details

Testing a New Psychological Intervention for People with Fibromyalgia in Lupus

(IRB#: IRB_00194480)

Lupus is a serious and lifelong illness, causing flare-ups and damage to organs. It leads to a higher risk of death and a lower quality of life. Difficult life experiences, such as trauma or childhood adversity, are more common in people with lupus and fibromyalgia. These early experiences also raise the risk of anxiety, depression, and developing lupus later in life. This study will test a new therapy known as Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). EAET helps people understand and express emotions related to difficult past experiences, which may reduce physical pain and improve overall health. This study wants to see if EAET will help people with lupus who also suffer from chronic widespread pain (or fibromyalgia) and is safe. People in the study will be randomly chosen to receive the EAET therapy through telehealth or be on a waiting list. The study will see if the therapy helps reduce lupus flares, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and improve quality of life and sleep. The EAET group will attend 8 two-hour group therapy sessions online once a week for 8 weeks. This group will also complete homework for about 30 minutes a day during participation. The wait list group will wait for 8 weeks until the EAET group is done. Both groups will complete surveys. The wait list group can choose to participate in the next therapy group session.

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