Online psychological treatment for pediatric recurrent pain: a randomized evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a distance treatment delivered through Internet and telephone for pediatric recurrent pain.


METHODS
Forty-seven participants (9-16 years of age) were randomly assigned to either an Internet-based treatment or a standard medical care waitlist. Treatment employed a Web-based manual for children and parents with weekly therapist contact by telephone or e-mail. At 1- and 3-month follow-ups, participants were assessed on the outcome variables of pain and quality of life. A 50% reduction in diary pain scores was considered clinically significant.


RESULTS
Significant between-group differences were found: 71 and 72% of the treatment group achieved clinically significant improvement at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups, respectively, whereas only 19 and 14% of the control group achieved the criterion. No significant differences were found on the quality of life variable.


CONCLUSIONS
Distance methods have considerable potential for making effective treatments more accessible with lower associated costs.
Hicks
Carrie L
CL
Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Mental Health Services-Victoria Square, Box 3003, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada S6V 6G1. carrie.hicks@shaw.ca
von Baeyer
Carl L
CL
McGrath
Patrick J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management; D011584:Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence