Living with back pain? You don't have to manage it alone.

The REACH Study connects you with a psychologist who can talk with you about ways to manage pain. Everything happens from your phone or computer. No office visits needed.

See If You Can Join →
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What is the REACH Study?

REACH stands for Research and Engagement for Advancing Chronic pain Healthcare. It's a study at Johns Hopkins that's looking at new ways to help people with long-lasting back pain.

Here's the idea: pain isn't just physical. Stress, sleep, mood - they all play a part. A psychologist can teach you real skills to manage your pain and feel more in control. But most people never get the chance to work with one.

That's what this study is about. We want to make it easier for you to get this kind of help - and we want to learn how to do it better for everyone.

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What happens if I join?

  1. Fill out a short survey

    Tell us a little about yourself so we can see if the study is a good fit. This takes about 10 minutes.

  2. Talk with a psychologist (virtual)

    You'll have one video visit with a licensed psychologist. The psychologist will learn about your pain and talk with you about ways to manage it.

  3. Complete three check-in surveys

    Over the next six months, we'll ask you to complete three short online surveys about how you're doing. You'll receive Amazon gift cards for completing them.

  4. Keep meeting with a psychologist (optional)

    If you'd like, you can choose to do more virtual sessions with a psychologist to build skills for managing your pain. Whether you do this is your own decision, and it does not affect your part in the study.

That's it. Everything is virtual. You can do it all from home.

Can I join?

You might be a good fit if:

  • You're between 18 and 64 years old
  • You've had low back pain for 3 months or more
  • You're on Medicaid (like Jai Medical Systems, Priority Partners, or Maryland Medical Assistance), or you have both Medicare and Medicaid
  • You're not already seeing a psychologist or therapist for pain right now

Not sure if you qualify? Fill out the interest form and we'll help you figure it out.

See If You Can Join →

You'll be paid for your time

Up to $175

in Amazon gift cards for attending the psychology evaluation and completing the study surveys.

Questions you might have

Does it cost anything to take part in the research?

The research-specific activities do not add a charge. You may receive up to $175 in Amazon gift cards for attending the psychology evaluation and completing study surveys.

Do I have to go anywhere?

No. Everything happens by video call or online. You can do it all from your phone or computer at home.

Is this safe? Is my information private?

Johns Hopkins has requirements to protect people who take part in research. Before you decide whether to join, the study team will explain what the study involves, possible risks, and how your personal information will be protected.

What if I change my mind?

That's okay. You can stop at any time. There's no penalty.