Journal Article

Internet-based guided self-help intervention for chronic pain based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A randomized controlled trial

Trompetter, Hester R., Schreurs, Karlein M. G., Bohlmeijer, Ernst T., Veehof, Martine M.

2015

Overview

Acceptance-based psychological interventions can potentially minimize the burden of chronic pain. This randomized controlled trial evaluated an internet-delivered, guided self-help intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A total of 238 chronic pain sufferers from the general population were randomly allocated to either ACT (n = 82), an internet-based control condition Expressive Writing (n = 79) or a waiting list condition (n = 77). Participants completed measures at baseline, posttreatment (3 months) and at a 3-month follow-up. At follow-up, ACT participants had improved in pain interference in daily life (primary outcome) compared to participants in Expressive Writing (Cohen’s d = .47), but not compared to waiting list participants ( p value = .11). Those who adhered to the ACT-intervention (48 %) did improve significantly compared to waiting list participants (d = .49). ACT-participants also showed superior improvement on depression, pain intensity, psychological inflexibility and pain catastrophizing (d: .28–.60). Significant clinical improvement was present. Especially, 28 % of ACT-participants showed general clinically relevant improvement in pain interference, as well as in pain intensity and depression (vs. Expressive Writing and waiting list 5 %). Given these findings, internet-based ACT programs may be a promising treatment modality for chronic pain.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acceptance / Acceptance and Commitment Therapy / Activities of daily living / Care and treatment / Catastrophic reactions / Catastrophization - complications / Catastrophization - therapy / Chronic pain / Chronic Pain - psychology / Chronic Pain - therapy / Clinical trials / Depression - complications / Depression - therapy / Everyday life / Family Medicine / Female / General Practice / Health Psychology / Humans / Internet / Intervention / Male / Medical treatment / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Mental depression / Methods / Middle Aged / Pain / Patient Compliance / Patient Satisfaction / Psychological aspects / Psychotherapy / R&D / Research & development / Self Care - psychology / Self evaluation / Self help / Self-care, Health / Therapy / Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Treatment Outcome / Writing