Happy Despite Pain : A Randomized Controlled Trial of an 8-week Internet-delivered Positive Psychology Intervention for Enhancing Well-being in Patients with Chronic Pain

• OBJECTIVES: There is preliminary evidence for the efficacy of positive psychology interventions for pain management. The current study examined the effects of an internet-based positive psychology self-help program for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and compared it with an internet-based cognitive behavioural program.METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was carried out with three conditions: an internet-delivered positive psychology program, an internet-delivered cognitive behavioural program and waitlist control. A total of 276 patients were randomized to one of the three conditions and post treatment data were obtained from 206 patients. Primary outcomes were happiness, depression and physical impairments at post-treatment and at six months follow-up. Intention-to-treat analyses were carried out using mixed regression analyses.RESULTS: Both treatments led to significant increases in happiness and decreases in depression. Physical impairments did not significantly decrease compared to waitlist. Improvements in happiness and depression were maintained until six months follow-up. There were no overall differences in the efficacy of the two active interventions but effects appeared to be moderated by education. Patients with a higher level of education profited more from the positive psychology intervention than from the cognitive behavioural program.DISCUSSION: The results suggest that an internet-based positive psychology self-help intervention for the management of chronic pain is clinically useful. Because the self-help exercises as used in the current program do not require therapist involvement, dissemination potential is large. Further studies should examine whether it can best be used as stand-alone or add-on treatment combined with established pain treatment programs.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Anestesi och intensivvård (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Sjukgymnastik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Physiotherapy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Positive psychology intervention

cognitive-behavior therapy

internet-based treatment

randomized controlled trial

chronic pain

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