Evaluating the Effectiveness of an ACT-Based Bibliotherapy Intervention Among Adults Living With Chronic Pain

A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Bibliotherapy Intervention Among Adults Living With Chronic Pain

Chronic pain has a significant impact on the physical and psychological functioning of those living with this condition. It is now recognized that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective intervention in managing chronic pain; however, several barriers limit its accessibility.

The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an eight-week bibliotherapy-type self-administered psychological intervention with minimal therapeutic contact, based on ACT, in the management of chronic pain.

This study is a randomized controlled trial with two groups (one experimental group and one wait-list control group). Participants will be randomly assigned to each condition and measures will be taken at pretest, posttest and three months following the intervention.

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of an eight-week self-administered intervention program (bibliotherapy) based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with minimal therapeutic support in the management of chronic pain.

This study was based on the following hypotheses. In comparison to the control group, from pre to post, the self-help program will:

1. significantly reduce pain-related disability (primary variable);

2. improve depressive symptoms related to CP (secondary variable);

3. increase the level of pain acceptance;

4. reduce psychological inflexibility linked to painful symptoms (process variables).

   It was also expected that:

5. the improvements would be maintained at three-month follow-up;

6. participants would have an overall impression of a positive change following the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• being 18 years of age or older
• having suffered from daily pain for more than three months
• having reading and writing abilities in French equivalent or superior to grade 8
• having access to Internet at home and having a valid e-mail address
• not having previously completed an ACT-type psychotherapy, not having practiced mindfulness meditation regularly and not having read a bibliotherapy on ACT for pain
• having stable medication for at least one month, if applicable.

Exclusion Criteria:

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