Brief Online Intervention for Chronic Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of writing about chronic pain on mental and physical health. The effectiveness of two different types of brief online writing interventions will be explored in individuals with chronic pain.

Detailed Description
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Chronic pain is highly prevalent and costly, but often not treated effectively. Psychological interventions are needed as part of chronic pain treatment since the pain affects many aspects of an individual's life. In particular, brief psychological interventions that are easily accessible (i.e., online) could benefit many people with chronic pain. Writing interventions have been used in recent years to understand difficult experiences. Writing interventions have been found to help individuals explore distressing thoughts and feelings, such as those that are associated with pain.

Official Title
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The Expressive Writing Paradigm: A Study of Therapeutic Effectiveness for Chronic Pain

Conditions
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Chronic Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Self-compassion writing
* Other: Self-efficacy writing


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with chronic pain or a chronic pain condition or discussed pain management strategies (e.g., pain medication) with a doctor Experience pain on most days of the month for at least six months Able to read and write in English Exclusion Criteria: Chronic pain directly caused by a terminal condition (e.g., stage 4 cancer)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Self-compassion writing<br> | Other: Self-compassion writing<br>* Participants are instructed to write about their chronic pain in a way that elicits self-compassion for 20 minutes once a week for three consecutive weeks.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Self-efficacy writing<br> | Other: Self-efficacy writing<br>* Participants are instructed to write about their chronic pain in a way that elicits self-efficacy for 20 minutes once a week for three consecutive weeks.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in Self-Compassion Scale |  | Change from Baseline in Self-Compassion Scale at 4 weeks | 
| Change from Baseline in Pain Self-Efficacy Scale |  | Change from Baseline in Pain Self-Efficacy Scale at 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in Pain Severity | Pain severity is measured on a 10-point rating scale. | Change from Baseline in Pain Severity at 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Chronic pain, Psychological adjustment, Writing, Brief intervention, Online, Internet interventions