Healthy Aging as Black Adults, in it Together (Habit): A Comparative Effectiveness Trial to Address Comorbid Chronic Pain and Early Cognitive Decline Among Older, Community-Based Black Adults

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain (CP) and early cognitive decline (ECD) disproportionately impact older Black adults. Our team developed a culturally tailored and adapted version of Active Brains, our evidence-based program that uses mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for older Black adults with CP-ECD comorbidity. This paper describes Healthy Aging as Black Adults, In It Together (HABIT), a comparative-effectiveness trial of two evidence-based intervention programs – our culturally tailored adaptation, called MBCT with walking (MBCT+w), or Active Living Every Day (ALED). Our aim is to test which of the two comparators will improve health outcomes (physical, emotional, cognitive function) more among older Black adults with CP-ECD comorbidity and assess whether improvements are maintained over a 6-month follow-up.METHODS: We aim to recruit (N=400) older, community-dwelling Black adults with CP-ECD comorbidity. Eligible participants are 50 years or older, with CP for more than 3 months, and meet screening criteria for mild cognitive impairment. Caregivers of these older adults are also invited to participate. Patients are randomized to either culturally tailored MBCT+w or ALED, which are matched in dosage and delivered in person in group format. Data will be collected pre- and post-intervention and 6-months follow-up. We will conduct linear mixed effect models to estimate between-group differences for health outcomes over time.RESULTS: To date, we have recruited N=37 participants and have completed N=2 cohorts.CONCLUSION: Findings will support the implementation of the superior program into community settings through a peer delivery modality to support older, community-dwelling Black adults with CP-ECD comorbidity.