Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Chronic Pain (1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Testing the feasibility of Internet administered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for people with Chronic Pain: A randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
182255
Contact name
Lene Forrester
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen/NHS Grampian
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 00 days
Research summary
The third wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) psychological model of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is associated with clinically meaningful long term improvements of function and quality of life for people with Chronic Pain, and it the model of choice for national and local Pain Management Programmes, as well as the Clinical Pain Psychology Service within NHS Grampian. However, resources for these services are scarce and waiting lists are extensive (1 year+), and as such more effective ways of meeting the needs of people with Chronic Pain are required.
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a newly developed therapist assisted internet delivery of ACT to people with Chronic Pain, which could be one way of more effectively and efficiently delivering such psychological therapy. Furthermore, the study will test the proof of concept of the online treatment in terms of its potential to contribute to meaningful changes in pain related outcomes and relevant therapeutic process variables.
Initial usability testing of the online treatment has been undertaken with 10 people with Chronic Pain by our development collaborators at King’s College London. The study will mirror as far as possible the design utilised by our colleagues, which has received ethics approval by their local committee. A randomised controlled treatment design will be used to test the feasibility of the online ACT intervention and to compare it with medical treatment as usual. Thirty individuals with Chronic Pain will be recruited from Grampian Pain Service, currently sitting on the waiting list for Clinical Pain Psychology intervention following assessment and referral from the medical Pain Consultants within the service. These participants will be randomised to receive the online treatment or treatment as usual. Participants will complete assessment questionnaires at pre and post treatment and at 3 and nine month follow-up intervals.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
15/NS/0082
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion