Five-year Observational Study of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Pain Management when offered as Routine Care by an Online Therapy Clinic

BACKGROUND Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural pain management programs (PMPs) are effective, but less is known about their use outside of research trials. Five years of data from offering the internet-delivered cognitive behavioural PMP in an online therapy clinic was examined to assess effectiveness, acceptability, and predictors of outcomes. METHODS Patients (n = 293) were offered a previously validated 8-week internet-delivered cognitive behavioural PMP and administered measures at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 3-months. RESULTS There was growth in demand for an internet-delivered cognitive behavioural PMP over time (n = 64 first year to n = 133 fifth year). Moderate-to-large improvements on depression (post-treatment 35% reduction; 3-month 41% reduction) and anxiety (post-treatment 37% reduction; 3-month 41% reduction), and small-to-moderate improvements on disability (post-treatment 19% reduction; 3-month 20% reduction) were found. Lesson completion and satisfaction were high. Lower pain acceptance, lower pain self-efficacy, and higher pain intensity were associated with lower improvements on depression, anxiety and disability. CONCLUSIONS This longitudinal observational study provides support for internet-delivered cognitive behavioural PMPs when offered as routine care by an online therapy clinic.