Papers of the Week

Several clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of internet-delivered psychological-based pain management programs (PMPs). However, to date, no large studies have reported the outcomes of PMPs when delivered by specialist multidisciplinary pain services in routine care. The present study reports (n = 653) the outcomes of an internet-delivered PMP provided as routine care by a specialist Australian regional pain service over a 6 year period. High levels of treatment commencement (85%) and completion (72%) were observed, with more than 80% of patients reporting they were satisfied with the intervention. Clinical improvements were observed from pre-treatment to post-treatment (% change; 95% CI) in pain-related disability (8.8%; 4.5, 12.8), depression (28.4%; 23.0, 33.4), anxiety (21.9 %; 14.6, 28.5) and pain intensity (7%%; 3.5, 10.5), which were maintained to 3-month follow-up. At 3-month follow-up, 27% (23, 31), 46% (41, 51), 44% (39, 49) and 22% (19, 26) reported clinically meaningful (defined as ≥ 30%) improvements in pain-related disability, depression, anxiety and pain intensity, respectively. These results were obtained with relatively little therapist time per patient (m = 30.0; SD = 18.8) to deliver the intervention. The current findings highlight the potential of internet-delivered PMPs as part of the services provided by specialist pain services, particularly those servicing large geographical regions and for patients unable to travel to clinics for face-to-face care. PERSPECTIVE: This study reports the outcomes of the routine delivery of an internet-delivered psychological pain management program by a specialist pain service. The findings highlight the potential of this model of care when provided by specialist pain services, particularly for patients not unable to attend and not requiring intensive face-to-face care.