MobACT: An Internet-Based Intervention for Chronic Pain Patients

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Internet-based intervention: Participants allocated to the experimental group will be asked to complete one module per week, each based on the core principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The treatment program consists of seven modules delivered weekly over a total duration of seven weeks. The content of the modules will cover the following topics: 1. Creative hopelessness 2. Willingness and acceptance of pain 3. Defusion from negative thoughts 4. Committed action and values 5. Values and goal setting 6. Willingness exercises 7. Maintenance of learned strategies.

Study summary

Chronic Pain (CP) is a condition characterized by pain lasting or recurring for more than three months, often accompanied by emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning. CP represents a major burden for individuals and healthcare systems due to its impact on quality of life, healthcare utilization, and work productivity. Traditional treatments, such as pharmacological and surgical approaches, frequently provide insufficient relief, highlighting the need for complementary interventions.

Among psychological approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown promising results for CP management. ACT aims to increase psychological flexibility by helping individuals accept pain as part of their experience while engaging in meaningful, value-based activities. Rather than focusing exclusively on symptom reduction, ACT promotes emotional well-being, functioning, and quality of life. However, access to psychological interventions remains limited because of barriers such as long waiting lists, geographical distance, physical limitations, stigma, and limited availability of trained professionals.

Digital health interventions, particularly internet-delivered self-help programs, may help overcome these barriers by providing flexible, accessible, and cost-effective support. Previous research suggests that ACT can be effectively adapted to online formats, allowing broader dissemination and increased accessibility for individuals with CP.

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a guided internet-delivered ACT-based self-help intervention for individuals with CP. The intervention seeks to support pain acceptance, improve quality of life, and promote engagement in valued activities. The study will also explore potential psychological mechanisms underlying treatment outcomes and assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention to evaluate its potential implementation within public healthcare systems.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Chronic Pain Acceptance — T0 (baseline); T1 (7-weeks); T2 (6 months)
  The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) (20 items) is used to assess acceptance of chronic pain. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 ("Never true") to 6 ("Always true"), where the respondent indicates their level of agreement with each statement. The CPAQ is composed of two subscales: Activity Engagement (AE) and Pain Willingness (PW). To calculate the CPAQ score, the items corresponding to each subscale are summed to obtain a score for each domain. The total score, ranging from 0 to 120, is the sum of the two subscale scores. Higher scores indicate greater levels of pain acceptance. The Activity Engagement (AE) subscale measures the extent to which individuals continue to engage in daily activities regardless of their pain, while the Pain Willingness (PW) subscale assesses the extent to which individuals perceive that avoiding or controlling pain is an ineffective strategy.

Trial sites (4)

More Catholic University of the Sacred Heart trials in Italy

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