Guided internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with chronic pain: A meta-analytic review

Internet Interventions, vol. 30, pp. 100587

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain has a large individual and societal burden. Previous reviews have shown that internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) can support patients' pain coping. However, factors related to participant experience of iCBT and effective and safe iCBT delivery for chronic pain have not recently been summarized. Objective: The aim of this review was to give an overview of the efficacy of guided iCBT for chronic pain on psychological, physical, and impact on daily life outcomes, including factors that inform optimal delivery. Methods: Cochrane, Emcare, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase were systematically searched from inception to 11 February 2022. Randomized controlled trials on guided iCBTs for adults with chronic pain were included with a broad range of outcomes. Results: The search yielded 7406 studies of which 33 studies were included totaling 5133 participants. ICBT was more effective than passive control conditions for psychological (ES = 0.34-0.47), physical (ES = 0.26-0.29), and impact outcomes (ES = 0.38-0.41). ICBT was more effective than active control conditions for distress (ES = 0.40), pain acceptance (ES = 0.15), and pain interference after outlier removal (ES = 0.30). Longer treatments were associated with larger effects for anxiety and quality of life than shorter treatments. Mode of therapist contact (synchronous, asynchronous or a mix of both) was not related to differences in effect sizes in most outcomes. However, studies with mixed and synchronous contact modes had higher effects on pain self-efficacy than studies with asynchronous contact modes. Treatment satisfaction was high and adverse events were minor. Dropout was related to time, health, technical issues, and lack of computer skills. Conclusions: Guided iCBT is an effective and potentially safe treatment for chronic pain. Future research should more consistently report on iCBT safety and detail the effectiveness of individual treatment components to optimize iCBT in clinical practice.

Authors 10

1. Jessy A. Terpstra corresponding Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit Department of Rheumatology

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

   Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands

2. Rosalie van der Vaart Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

3. Sylvia van Beugen Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

4. Roxy A. van Eersel Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

5. Ioanna Gkika Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

6. Dorottya Erdős Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

7. Caroline Radstake Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

8. M. Kloppenburg Aachen Department of Rheumatology

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands

9. Henriët van Middendorp Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

10. Andrea W.M. Evers Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Unit Department of Psychiatry

    Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · Medical Delta

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Unit, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands

    Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, B1-P, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands

    Medical Delta, Huismansingel 4, 2629 JH Delft, the Netherlands