Online iSelf-help vs In-person Pain Management for Persistent Pain .
A group-based, online-delivered pain management programme (iSelf-help) is not inferior to a group-based, in-person programme in reducing pain-related disability for people with persistent pain: A non-inferiority randomised, two-arm, parallel, open-label t
J Pain . 2025 Jul:32:105447. dOne hundred thirteen patients with persistent non-cancer pain were randomized to receive iSelf-help (n=56) or an in-person pain management program (n=57). The primary outcome was the Modified Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Secondary outcomes included DASS-21 (anxiety, depression, stress), Brief Pain Inventory (intensity, interference), EQ-5D-5L VAS, Pain Self-Efficacy (PSEQ), Pain Catastrophizing (PCS), acceptance, satisfaction, attendance, adverse events, and costs. Outcomes were assessed post-intervention, and at 3 and 6 months. Overall, the results revealed iSelf-help was non-inferior to in-person care for RMDQ at 6 months and for several secondary domains; pain intensity did not meet non-inferiority. iSelf-help showed similar satisfaction, greater accessibility, and lower delivery cost per participant, suggesting an effective, more accessible alternative to expand service capacity.
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