Internet-Delivered Psychological Treatments for Chronic Pain in Adolescents: ACT and Pain Education.
RecruitingNot applicableNCT06981312
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This study has no listed site in Canada in this snapshot. It is included as part of the worldwide chronic pain corpus.
Brief summary (from the registry)
One in four children in Sweden experiences chronic pain. For many, the pain is temporary, but for about 5% it significantly affects daily life, leading to sleep problems, school absence, and reduced physical activity. Youth with chronic pain report lower life satisfaction and overall health compared to their peers. In most cases, there is no underlying disease or injury, suggesting that chronic pain is a condition in itself, driven by dysregulation in the pain system and influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. National guidelines in Sweden recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for children and adolescents with chronic pain and substantial functional limitations. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to strengthen the evidence base for these treatments. The investigators' clinic has developed and evaluated ACT-based treatments for pediatric chronic pain over the past two decades. The protocol has now been adapted into an internet-delivered version to increase accessibility. In a preliminary feasibility study, the investigators observed promising effects on pain interference, though some usability issues have since been addressed. The treatment is grounded in the fear-avoidance model, which explains how avoidance of pain-related activities can worsen disability over time. In ACT, such avoidance is seen as driven by unwanted thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. The aim of treatment is to help young people relate more flexibly to pain and fear and to move toward personally meaningful goals - a skill referred to as psychological flexibility. Exposure is a core component of ACT, encouraging patients to engage with avoided thoughts, feelings, and activities in order to reduce avoidance and improve functioning. In addition to treating the young person, the study also targets parental behaviors. Parents often respond to their child's pain by increasing protection…
Study details
- Official title
- Internet-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Nociplastic Pain
- Pain Management
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Behavioral: Pain Science Education
- Sponsor
- Region Stockholm
- Collaborators
- Karolinska Institutet; Forskningsrådet för hälsa, arbetsliv och välfärd (FORTE)
- Start date
- 2025-05
- Primary completion
- 2026-12
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 13 Years to 19 Years
- Results posted
- No results posted in this snapshot
- Countries
- Sweden
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents aged 13-19 years with chronic pain (duration ≥ 3 months). * Have undergone a medical examination regarding their pain condition. * Are not using pain-relieving medication, or have been stable on such medication for at least 2 months, with no planned medication changes. * Have not undergone ACT or CBT treatment in the past six months. * Can read and write in Swedish without difficulty. * Have access to a smartphone/computer with an internet connection and e-ID. * Have at least one parent or guardian who is willing and able to participate in parallel parent support treatment. Exclusion Criteria: * Insufficient understanding of Swedish to complete study-related tasks. * Adolescents currently undergoing ACT or CBT treatment. * Adolescents who are using pain-relieving medication or have unstable medication regimes. * Adolescents without access to a smartphone/computer or e-ID.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06981312