Web-based CBT for Children With Chronic Pain
Web-based CBT for Children With Chronic Pain
The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a
 web-based (i.e., internet) treatment approach for providing psychological treatment to reduce
 pain and improve functioning in children and adolescents with chronic pain.
Chronic pain is an important problem for children and adolescents owing to its high
 prevalence rate and significant impact on children's mood, daily functioning, and overall
 quality of life. Effective psychological treatments have been developed to change behaviors
 and thoughts important in the child's ability to cope with chronic pain. However, the
 majority of children do not have access to these treatments due to a variety of barriers such
 as geographical distance from pediatric pain treatment centers.

 The purpose of this study is to develop a more accessible method of delivering effective
 psychological treatment to reduce pain and increase function in children. Children with
 chronic headache, abdominal, or musculoskeletal pain will be randomized to either receive the
 web-based treatment right away or to be in a wait-list control condition and receive the
 treatment 8 weeks later. Both groups of children will continue to receive clinical care
 through specialty medical clinics. Children's level of pain, their ability to perform, daily
 functional activities, and overall quality of life will be evaluated before treatment begins,
 immediately after treatment, and at a 3 month follow up.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  chronic headache, abdominal, and/or musculoskeletal pain present over the previous 3
 months

 -  interference from pain in at least one area of daily functioning.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  serious comorbid chronic condition in the patient (e.g., diabetes, cancer)

 -  non-English speaking

 -  previous participation in cognitive-behavioral therapy.