Haya Al Sharaa, Sara Laureen Bartels, Afra S. Taygar, Linnéa Engman, Suzanne Petersson, Ida Flink, Katja Boersma, Lance M. McCracken, Laura Simons, Johan W. S. Vlaeyen, Patrick Onghena, Rikard K. Wicksell
{"title":"数字行为治疗慢性疼痛的个体水平效应:单例实验设计研究的概念验证。","authors":"Haya Al Sharaa, Sara Laureen Bartels, Afra S. Taygar, Linnéa Engman, Suzanne Petersson, Ida Flink, Katja Boersma, Lance M. McCracken, Laura Simons, Johan W. S. Vlaeyen, Patrick Onghena, Rikard K. Wicksell","doi":"10.1002/ejp.70128","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Background</h3>\n \n <p>Chronic pain affects 20%–30% of the population worldwide, leading to significant distress, disability and financial burden. Pain management strategies focusing on pain reduction have shown limited effects on functioning; however, behavioural treatments aimed at enhancing resilience have demonstrated strong empirical support. Digital solutions offer new opportunities for delivering evidence-based treatments, but evaluation at the individual level is needed. The aim of this study is to examine individual-level treatment effects of a digital behavioural treatment for chronic pain in a heterogeneous sample.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Methods</h3>\n \n <p>A study with a single-case experimental design (SCED) was conducted with participants (<i>N</i> = 11) experiencing chronic pain (> 3 months) recruited through healthcare. Participants were randomised at baseline (5–10-day A-phase) and completed a 6-module digital treatment based on learning theory and well-established theories applied to chronic pain (6–8-week B-phase), with weekly therapist contact. Digital diaries, prompted twice daily, tracked psychological flexibility and acceptance, pain-related functioning, pain intensity and well-being. Data were analysed using visual analysis and effect size calculations.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p><i>N</i> = 11 enrolled and data from <i>n</i> = 10 were analysed (<i>n</i> = 1 refused digital diary, <i>n</i> = 2 partial completers, <i>n</i> = 8 full completers). Pain profiles varied (e.g., chronic migraine, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, etc.). Several participants benefited from the treatment, though results varied across individuals and across outcomes.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusion</h3>\n \n <p>The digital behavioural treatment showed promise in addressing diverse pain profiles and associated functioning. The variability in responses highlights the benefit of using SCED to explore individual-level effects, thus offering a methodological proof-of-concept. Findings support further development, including tailoring to match individual needs.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Significance Statement</h3>\n \n <p>This proof-of-concept study provides support for the utility of digital behavioural interventions and individual-level evaluation of treatment effects, highlighting the potential of personalised pain treatments. The findings contribute to the growing body of support for digital solutions as effective and accessible approaches to improve functioning and resilience for people with diverse pain experiences.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":12021,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pain","volume":"29 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12444821/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Individual-Level Effects of a Digital Behavioural Treatment for Chronic Pain: Proof-of-Concept of a Single-Case Experimental Design Study\",\"authors\":\"Haya Al Sharaa, Sara Laureen Bartels, Afra S. Taygar, Linnéa Engman, Suzanne Petersson, Ida Flink, Katja Boersma, Lance M. McCracken, Laura Simons, Johan W. S. Vlaeyen, Patrick Onghena, Rikard K. 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The aim of this study is to examine individual-level treatment effects of a digital behavioural treatment for chronic pain in a heterogeneous sample.</p>\\n </section>\\n \\n <section>\\n \\n <h3> Methods</h3>\\n \\n <p>A study with a single-case experimental design (SCED) was conducted with participants (<i>N</i> = 11) experiencing chronic pain (> 3 months) recruited through healthcare. Participants were randomised at baseline (5–10-day A-phase) and completed a 6-module digital treatment based on learning theory and well-established theories applied to chronic pain (6–8-week B-phase), with weekly therapist contact. Digital diaries, prompted twice daily, tracked psychological flexibility and acceptance, pain-related functioning, pain intensity and well-being. 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Individual-Level Effects of a Digital Behavioural Treatment for Chronic Pain: Proof-of-Concept of a Single-Case Experimental Design Study
Background
Chronic pain affects 20%–30% of the population worldwide, leading to significant distress, disability and financial burden. Pain management strategies focusing on pain reduction have shown limited effects on functioning; however, behavioural treatments aimed at enhancing resilience have demonstrated strong empirical support. Digital solutions offer new opportunities for delivering evidence-based treatments, but evaluation at the individual level is needed. The aim of this study is to examine individual-level treatment effects of a digital behavioural treatment for chronic pain in a heterogeneous sample.
Methods
A study with a single-case experimental design (SCED) was conducted with participants (N = 11) experiencing chronic pain (> 3 months) recruited through healthcare. Participants were randomised at baseline (5–10-day A-phase) and completed a 6-module digital treatment based on learning theory and well-established theories applied to chronic pain (6–8-week B-phase), with weekly therapist contact. Digital diaries, prompted twice daily, tracked psychological flexibility and acceptance, pain-related functioning, pain intensity and well-being. Data were analysed using visual analysis and effect size calculations.
Results
N = 11 enrolled and data from n = 10 were analysed (n = 1 refused digital diary, n = 2 partial completers, n = 8 full completers). Pain profiles varied (e.g., chronic migraine, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, etc.). Several participants benefited from the treatment, though results varied across individuals and across outcomes.
Conclusion
The digital behavioural treatment showed promise in addressing diverse pain profiles and associated functioning. The variability in responses highlights the benefit of using SCED to explore individual-level effects, thus offering a methodological proof-of-concept. Findings support further development, including tailoring to match individual needs.
Significance Statement
This proof-of-concept study provides support for the utility of digital behavioural interventions and individual-level evaluation of treatment effects, highlighting the potential of personalised pain treatments. The findings contribute to the growing body of support for digital solutions as effective and accessible approaches to improve functioning and resilience for people with diverse pain experiences.
期刊介绍:
European Journal of Pain (EJP) publishes clinical and basic science research papers relevant to all aspects of pain and its management, including specialties such as anaesthesia, dentistry, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, palliative care, pharmacology, physiology, psychiatry, psychology and rehabilitation; socio-economic aspects of pain are also covered.
Regular sections in the journal are as follows:
• Editorials and Commentaries
• Position Papers and Guidelines
• Reviews
• Original Articles
• Letters
• Bookshelf
The journal particularly welcomes clinical trials, which are published on an occasional basis.
Research articles are published under the following subject headings:
• Neurobiology
• Neurology
• Experimental Pharmacology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Psychology
• Behavioural Therapy
• Epidemiology
• Cancer Pain
• Acute Pain
• Clinical Trials.