Digital ACT as a primary care model to improve resilience in patients with chronic pain: effects, cost-effectiveness and individual differences in treatment response

Chronic pain is a main health care concern with debilitating effects on the affected individual and large economic impact on society due to absenteeism and reduced productivity.

The ability to effectively manage symptoms, i.e. resilience, is a key mechanism to maintain and improve functioning and health.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a behavioral approach with strong empirical support for enhancing resilience and functioning in individuals with chronic pain. Despite this, the availability of ACT is low.

Based on compelling results from a series of studies, this large clinical trial (n=360) aims to evaluate the utility of digital ACT as a primary care model to improve resilience and functioning in patients with chronic pain.

More specifically, the study will examine 1) the effectiveness of digital ACT in relation to primary care treatment as usual, 2) individual differences in treatment response, and 3) cost-effectiveness.

The study is conducted in collaboration with Region Kalmar, with adult pain patients recruited from 36 primary care centers.

Digital ACT will be provided using the nationally available 1177 platform, and organized into brief (15 minutes) daily modules delivered over ten-weeks.

Patients have regular contact with a therapist through the platform.The present project will provide necessary empirical data to support or refute wide dissemination and implementation of this digital behavioral health intervention as a primary care model for chronic pain.