The Pain Course: a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of an internet-delivered pain management program

Abstract

There is interest in the potential of Internet-delivered programs to cost-effectively increase access to pain management for people with chronic pain. However, few large-scale clinical and economic evaluations have been undertaken. Using a randomised controlled trial design, the current study (n 5 659) examined the clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and cost utility of an Internetdelivered pain management program for people with mixed chronic pain conditions when delivered with optional clinician support. The treatment group reported significant improvements in disability, depression, anxiety, average pain intensity, and qualityadjusted life years (QALYs), compared with control, and exhibited relatively high levels of treatment engagement and satisfaction.