Internet-Delivered ACT Targeting Emotional Distress and Chronic Pain

NCT07426367 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2019-00023
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 10
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Internet-delivered Acceptance and commitment therapy for emotional distress and comorbid chronic pain. A pilot study ( N=5-10) will be conducted to test the intervention and assessment procedures. The participants will go through an active internet-based ACT treatment focused on education about emotional distress and pain, as well as behavior change through exercises targeting the processes mindfulness, cognitive defusion and acceptance. The treatment is delivered on a safe internet platform. Participants have planned telephone contact with their assigned psychologist 2 times during the program and can also contact their psychologist via a message system in the platform and expect answer within 48 hours.

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Keywords

emotional distress; ACT; chronic pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain interference

  as measured by the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI). Changes between assessments) Min= 0; Max= 6. Higher scores indicate worse interference.

  Baseline, two-week-post treatment, 3 month-follow- up

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Psychological inflexibility

  [Time Frame: Baseline, two-week-post treatment, 3 month-follow- up

• Anxiety and depression

  Baseline, two-week-post treatment, 3 month-follow- up

• Pain intensity

  Baseline, two-week-post treatment, 3 month-follow- up

• Pain catastrophizing

  Baseline, two-week-post treatment, 3 month-follow- up

• Perceived health

  Baseline, two-week-post treatment, 3 month-follow- up

Study Arms (1)

Treatment group

EXPERIMENTAL

Internet-based ACT

Behavioral: ACT

Interventions

ACT BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral: Acceptance and commitment therapy The participants will go through an active internet-based ACT treatment focused on education about emotional distress and chronic pain, value-based exposure for avoided situations, and behavior change through exercises targeting the processes mindfulness, cognitive defusion and acceptance. The treatment is delivered on a safe internet platform. Participants have planned telephone contact with their assigned psychologist 2 times during the program and can also contact their psychologist via a message system in the platform and expect answer within 48 hours.

Treatment group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• emotional distress characterized by clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or depression age between 18-65 years were fully examined medically and had received medical treatment if indicated were able to be an active part of the rehabilitation process, regain functioning in different life areas and participate in treatment interventions for approximately 5 hours every week stable dose of medication able to read and write in Swedish had access to a smart phone or computer with internet access

You may not qualify if:

• had acute or severe psychiatric disorders or symptoms that warranted designation as the primary disorder (ongoing substance dependence, untreated bipolar disorder, OCD, psychotic symptoms, severe depression, PTSD) were actively abusing analgesic medications (including narcotics), alcohol or other drugs had great difficulty to harbour and handle strong emotions that could lead to emotional outbursts or self-harming behavior had health risks due to medical reasons; had social or economic difficulties or lack of social support that hindered behavior change current severe suicidal ideation that warranted immediate intervention (indicated by the MINI)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Skane University Hospital: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Sophia Åkerblom, Associate professor

CONTACT

004646172610; sophia.akerblom@skane.se

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 16, 2026
• First Posted: February 23, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Last Updated: February 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share