Internet-delivered CBT for Functional Abdominal Pain in Adolescents - a Pilot

Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Functional Abdominal Pain in Adolescents - an Open Pilot.

This pilot-study aims to evaluate the treatment effects and feasibility of an internet-delivered CBT-program adjusted for adolescents with functional abdominal pain and functional dyspepsia.

Functional abdominal pain (FAP) and functional dyspepsia, are common in adolescents and associated with impaired quality of life. In adults with IBS, internet-delivered CBT leads to reduced symptoms and increased quality of life, but studies in children are lacking. This pilot-study aim to evaluate the treatment effects and feasibility of an internet-delivered CBT-program for adolescents with FAP and FD.

Method: Pilot study with a pre-post-design and no control group. The internet-delivered CBT-program will last for 10 weeks and include weekly therapist support, consisting of online messages and telephone calls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 13-17 at inclusion date

• fulfilling Rome III-criteria for FAP or FD with:

  1. a written diagnosis from patient's physician and negative required tests (Blood samples: C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Blood count and IgA-Transglutaminase. Stool: f-Calprotectin)
  2. The Rome III questionnaire + clinical interview confirming the diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Concurrent serious medical conditions
• Concurrent serous psychiatric diagnosis
• On-going psychological treatment
• Absence from school exceeding an average of 2 days a week is a cause for exclusion since high absence demands more intensive interventions than can be offered in ICBT
• On-going abuse or severe parental psychiatric illness in the family
• Pronounced language skill deficits and learning difficulties lead to exclusion from the study
• Lack of regular internet-access