Effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of an Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral pain management program in a routine online therapy clinic in Canada. Issue 1 (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hadjistavropoulos, Heather D.; Schneider, Luke H.; Hadjistavropoulos, Thomas; Titov, Nickolai; Dear, Blake F.
• Is Part Of: Canadian journal of pain =. Volume 2:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: chronic pain -- anxiety -- depression -- cognitive behavioral therapy -- Internet-delivered; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Pain; Pain Management; Periodicals; 616.0472
• DOI: 10.1080/24740527.2018.1442675
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-0527

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Access to face-to-face cognitive behavioral pain management programs is very limited. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral pain management has potential to improve client access to care but is not readily available in Canada. Aims: The present study explored the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of a previously validated Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral pain management course, the Pain Course, when offered in a publicly funded provincial Online Therapy Clinic. The five-lesson course was delivered over 8 weeks and was accompanied by brief weekly contact from a coach via weekly telephone calls and secure online messages. Methods: A single-group open trial design (ISRCTN15509834) was employed ( n = 55). Effectiveness was assessed by examining symptom measures at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Completion rates and satisfaction ratings were used to examine acceptability. Feasibility was assessed by examining time required for service delivery. Results: Results were highly comparable to past studies of the Pain Course showing improvements on primary measures of disability (Cohen's d = 0.45; 18% reduction), depression (Cohen's d = 0.85; 36% reduction), and anxiety (Cohen's d = 0.52; 32% reduction) at posttreatment that were maintained at follow-up. Completion rates (76%) and course satisfaction ratings (85% would recommend course) were high. Coach time per week was estimated as M = 12.67 (SD = 6.53) min. Conclusions: The findings add to existing literature on the Pain Course demonstrating for the first time the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral pain management programs for adults with chronic pain in a routine online therapy clinic.