Implications for practice and research

• Internet-delivered chronic pain (CP) management programmes are effective when integrated into existing health services.

• Identification and validation of essential components of an Internet-delivered CP management programme, as well as characteristics of patients most likely (or not likely) to benefit from such a programme, should be the participants of future research.

Context

Many studies indicate benefits of biopsychosocial CP management programmes, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Patients cannot always access such programmes, however, and consequently are undertreated.1 Internet-delivered programmes built on the same principles, but with different levels of clinician support, could be an innovative approach that promotes access to CP management programmes while decreasing clinicians' commitments.

Findings

There were significant improvements in disability, anxiety, depression and pain, both immediately post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up, with an average reduction for the outcomes of at least 18, 32, 36 and 12%, respectively. Furthermore, no marked difference was reported between experimental groups. Participants were generally very satisfied with their participation, and for all three groups, there was a significant decrease in prescription medication and health service use between pretreatment and 3-month follow-up. Time spent by clinicians was significantly greater for the regular contact group, which required more time than the other experimental groups.

Commentary

This study demonstrates beneficial effects of an Internet-delivered programme among heterogeneous participants with various CP conditions. Positive outcomes are reported for every level of clinician support, even with little or no support. The research is well reported, using the CONSORT 2010 checklist.2 Except for prescription medication use, healthcare services use, vocational status, acceptability and satisfaction, which were self-reported, other outcomes were measured with validated and reliable instruments.

Limitations include follow-up of only 3 months, so we await further reports of whether the programme effects are maintained over the longer term. Also, participants sought to take part in this type of programme and treatment options were not restricted during the trial. Those elements may have had a positive influence on the reported outcomes. CBT may be also of limited use, and has potential to cause harm, in some patients. This would dilute effectiveness, and might be considered in analyses, or maybe even for exclusion criteria, in future research.

Most CP management occurs in primary care, where a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approach is recommended.3 In collaboration with other health professionals, primary care nurses can play a key role in CP management and could be more involved in psychological approaches related to CP, including CBT.4 Further research on a primary care multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary Internet-delivered CP management programme where nurses could provide support is merited.

Other means of consultation rather than phone or face-to-face, such as text messaging and email, could be used to provide clinician support for participants in Internet-delivered CP management programmes. Electronic communications should be considered in future research, with inclusion of qualitative design elements to help understand how participants interact, in accessing clinician support.5