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Guided Internet‐delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic pain patients who have residual symptoms after rehabilitation treatment: Randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Buhrman M.,
Fredriksson A.,
Edström G.,
Shafiei D.,
Tärnqvist C.,
Ljótsson B.,
Hursti T.,
Gordh T.,
Andersson G.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2012.00244.x
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , rehabilitation , physical therapy , medicine , anxiety , chronic pain , cognitive behavioral therapy , psychological intervention , distress , cognition , pain catastrophizing , cognitive rehabilitation therapy , intervention (counseling) , clinical psychology , psychiatry
Background Chronic pain can be treated with cognitive behavioural therapy delivered in multidisciplinary settings. However, relapse is likely, and there is a need for cost‐effective secondary interventions for persons with residual problems after rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a guided Internet‐delivered cognitive behavioural intervention for patients who had completed multidisciplinary treatment at a pain management unit. Methods A total of 72 persons with residual pain problems were included in the study and were randomized to either treatment for 8 weeks or to a control group who were invited to participate in a moderated online discussion forum. The participants had different chronic pain conditions, and a majority were women (72%). Twenty‐two percent of the participants dropped out of the study before the post‐treatment assessment. Results Intent‐to‐treat analyses demonstrated differences on the catastrophizing subscale of the C oping S trategies Q uestionnaire ( C ohen's d = 0.70), in favour of the treatment group but a small within‐group effect. Differences were also found on other measures of pain‐related distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. A 6‐month follow‐up exhibited maintenance of improvements. Conclusions We conclude that Internet‐delivered treatment can be partly effective for persons with residual problems after completed pain rehabilitation.