Digital cognitive behavioral therapy versus Education for chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease: 12-month randomized trial results.

What was studied

This trial, CaRISMA, compared digital CBT with education for chronic sickle cell pain. Treatment options for this pain remain limited. At 6 months, pain interference did not differ between groups, and both improved. This report gives 12-month results. 359 adults got 12 weeks of digital CBT or education. Both had weekly health coach support.

What they found

At 12 months, 203 people had completed follow-up. Pain interference did not differ between groups. Both groups kept their improvement from baseline. The CBT group reported greater improvement in emotional impact. Pain intensity did not differ, nor did depression, anxiety or opioid misuse. Higher health coach engagement went with less pain interference.

What it means for patients

The authors say both groups kept their gains in pain interference at 12 months. They say personalized support may have contributed. They say this highlights the value of human support within digital tools. They say more research is needed to separate digital CBT from human support.

Why it is not certain yet

Only 203 of 359 people completed 12-month follow-up. Both groups had health coach support. This makes the effect of support hard to separate. The groups did not differ on the main outcome. The authors say personalized support may have helped.

Source

Digital cognitive behavioral therapy versus Education for chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease: 12-month randomized trial results.

We restate facts from the source record in our own words. The original wording belongs to its publisher.