Internet-based Acceptance Based Psychotherapy As an Adjunct to Chronic Pain Rehabilitation

Internet-based Acceptance Based Psychotherapy As an Adjunct to Chronic Pain Rehabilitation

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate how an acceptance based internet-delivered psychological treatment (IACT) tailored to patients with chronic pain is perceived, and if it meets the needs and expectations of those enrolled.

The main question it aims to answer is:

What are the expectations of patients with chronic pain prior to IACT treatment, and how do they experience IACT during and after treatment?

Participants will be offered a 7 week long treatment with therapist support. They will be interviewed before treatment starts, once during treatment, and again after treatment is completed.

This research project aims to interview adults with chronic pain to explore their expectations before, during, and after receiving internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (IACT). IACT aims to increase accessibility to psychological treatment by overcoming geographical, economic, social, or physical barriers. The study will investigate how IACT is received and how patient expectations align with their treatment experiences. This is important because previous studies have shown that chronic pain patients' experiences with IACT vary greatly, and there is limited knowledge about their specific needs and expectations regarding internet-based psychological treatment.

Chronic pain is a widespread and challenging condition affecting approximately 20% of the population. Internet-delivered psychological treatments, such as IACT, have emerged in the past 20 years, showing promising results in managing chronic pain. However, research on patient expectations and experiences with IACT remains limited. This qualitative study will use semi-structured interviews to gather data from 10-15 adults with chronic pain. Three interviews will be conducted per participant: before, during, and after IACT treatment. Thematic analysis will be used to analyze the interview transcripts.

The IACT treatment will consist of 7 modules delivered over 7 weeks. The study's findings will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of how expectations and needs influence the treatment process and outcomes for individuals with chronic pain receiving IACT. This knowledge can inform the development and delivery of more effective and patient-centered IACT programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must be adults with sufficient understanding of Swedish to speak and read, have internet access, and currently be a patient at the Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic in Linköping.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe cognitive problems, or severe mental illness such as a psychotic episode