Internet-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents with Chronic Pain and Their Parents: A Nonrandomized Pilot Trial

Background Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an empirically supported treatment for chronic pain in adults. There is also a small but growing evidence base of ACT for pediatric chronic pain. However, because of limited access to psychological treatment for pain, and geographical distances from pain facilities, many patients will not receive such treatment. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of an internet-delivered ACT for adolescents with chronic pain, and their parents. Methods In this nonrandomized pilot study 28 self-recruited adolescents, aged 13-17years, received 8 weeks of internet-delivered ACT, while outcomes were assessed at pre-, posttreatment, and at follow-up (17-25weeks). Parents of the adolescents received an 8-week internet-delivered parental program, and their outcomes were assessed at the same timepoints. Both treatments were guided by a therapist experienced in ACT and chronic pain. Results Some threats to feasibility were identified such as slow recruitment rate, low compliance and a delay in completion of follow-up assessments. Preliminary outcome evaluation showed that adolescents showed a large significant improvement on their main outcome (pain interference, d=1.09), and parents a medium improvement on their main outcome, pain reactivity (d=0.70). Improvements were also seen in adolescents' depressive symptoms and insomnia severity. Conclusion The preliminary results of internet-delivered ACT are promising with regards to improvements in adolescent and parent outcome. Measures to improve feasibility are needed prior to conducting a larger randomized trial.