Internet-based Behavioral Pain Management

The purpose of the proposed project is to develop and test how well an internet-based behavioral pain self-management program, the Pain EASE program, can be used for treating low back pain in Veterans. Veterans' experiences with usability and satisfaction with the Pain EASE program will also be examined. Behavioral interventions such as exercise and cognitive behavior therapy are known to be effective for low back pain but are often not readily available or easily accessed. Veterans will be able to access the Pain EASE program via their computer with an internet connection, which will increase access to this type of treatment. Study participants will receive 10 weeks of access to the Pain EASE program, which will teach them pain coping skills to manage their low back pain. The primary outcome is pain-related functional interference.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of the proposed study are to: (1) develop an integrative, Internet-based, Veteran-centered behavioral intervention, the Pain EASE program for chronic low back pain (CLBP), and (2) examine preliminary efficacy, usability, and satisfaction of this intervention in a representative sample of Veterans with CLBP. The primary hypothesis states that a clinically meaningful reduction in pain-related functional interference will be observed following ten weeks of exposure to the Pain EASE program relative to baseline. The secondary hypotheses state that clinically meaningful reductions in ratings of average pain intensity on a 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable) numeric rating scale at the ten week post-baseline follow-up assessment interval will be observed, in addition to statistically significant reductions in fatigue, sleep problems, depressive symptoms, and negative mood at the ten week post-baseline assessment. The tertiary hypotheses state that participants will report high levels of interest, site usage, and satisfaction.

RESEARCH DESIGN: A non-randomized pilot study with two phases is proposed to develop and evaluate an internet-based behavioral pain self-management program. Phase I will solely involve qualitative data collection. Repeated quantitative assessments during Phase II will be conducted at baseline and 10-weeks post-baseline.

METHODOLOGY: A 24-month pilot study with two phases is proposed. During Phase I, the Pain EASE program will be developed and feedback from 15 Veterans with CLBP and an Expert Panel of pain management clinicians will be used to modify the program. During Phase II, a pilot feasibility trial of the Pain EASE program with 55 Veterans with CLBP will be conducted. Subjects will be a total of 70 patients receiving care at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VACHS) who report chronic low back pain. The primary criteria for inclusion are constant pain of at least three months duration with at least a moderate level of average pain (i.e., scores of 4 or greater on a 0 \[no pain\] to 10 \[worst pain imaginable\]) on a numerical rating scale of pain and indication of the "preparation", "action", or "maintenance" stage of readiness to change on a brief five item staging checklist. All patients must have access to a computer with an internet connection. Excluded will be patients with life threatening or acute physical illness, current alcohol or substance abuse or dependence, current psychosis, suicidal ideation, dementia, and individuals seeking surgical pain treatment. All participants will continue to receive their usual care from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) providers. During the 10-week therapeutic window, weekly telephone calls from research staff will serve to cue and monitor participants' use of the Internet program. At ten weeks post-baseline, participants will be formally reassessed. Primary and secondary hypotheses involving quantitative data will be analyzed using an intent-to-treat principle and will employ t-tests and non-parametric analogs and regression analyses.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Presence of at least a moderate level of chronic low back pain (i.e., numeric rating scale pain scores of 4) and presence of low back pain for a period of 3 months;
* Availability of a computer with Internet access;
* Indication of the "preparation", "action", or "maintenance" stage of readiness to change on a brief five item staging checklist and a rating of at least 4 or greater on a 0 (not at all interested) to 10 (extremely interested) rating scale designed to ensure participants' interest in receiving pain self-management via the Internet;
* Veteran receiving care at VA Connecticut Healthcare System

Exclusion Criteria:

* life threatening or acute medical condition that could impair participation (e.g., severe COPD, lower limb amputation, terminal cancer);
* psychiatric condition (e.g., active substance abuse, psychosis or suicidality) that could impair participation
* surgical interventions for pain during their participation in this study
* sensory deficits that would impair participation (e.g., visual impairment affecting ability to navigate Internet-based intervention).