Implementing Internet-Assisted Treatment for Non-Cardiac Chest Pain
Implementing Internet-Assisted Treatment for Non-Cardiac Chest Pain
This study aims to test Implementation of Internet-Assisted Treatment for Non-Cardiac Chest Pain at the Cardiac Department at Sørlandet Hospital. The internet-assisted treatment will be delivered by personnel working at the department. Effectiveness will be tested in an randomized controlled trial (RCT). The intervention has been tested in an RCT where the intervention was delivered by a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) specialist who also participated in developing the intervention. Presently the investigators will test if personnel working at the department, with minimal training in CBT, can deliver the intervention effectively.
Most patients with chest pain referred to hospital do not have a cardiac illness. Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is often followed by persistent distress and reduced quality of life, and societal costs are nearly equal to those of cardiac patients. Research suggests that face-to-face CBT is effective, but this has not been implemented as standard treatment. The investigators plan to test an easily implementable internet-assisted treatment for NCCP patients delivered by personnel already working at the department.
Patients will be recruited at the chest pain unit at Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, and will be recruited after they have finished their cardiac examination.
The intervention group will receive six web-based sessions, comprising information, exposure to physical activity, how worry can excess pain, physical reactions to pain and worry, consequences of avoidance, and specific panic treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: