Internet-delivered attentional bias modification training (iABMT) for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Internet-delivered attentional bias modification training (iABMT) for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Introduction Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a complex medical condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Patients with chronic pain demonstrate attentional biases towards pain-related information. The therapeutic benefits of modifying attentional biases by implicitly training attention away from pain-related information towards neutral information have been supported in a small number of published studies. Limited research however has explored the efficacy of modifying pain-related biases via the internet. This protocol describes a randomised, double-blind, internet-delivered attentional bias modification intervention, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention on reducing pain interference. Secondary outcomes are pain intensity, state and trait anxiety, depression, pain-related fear, and sleep impairment. This study will also explore the effects of training intensity on these outcomes, along with participants' perceptions about the therapy. Methods and analysis The study is a double-blind, randomised controlled trial with four arms exploring the efficacy of online attentional bias modification training versus placebo training theorised to offer no specific therapeutic benefit. Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be randomised to one of four groups: (1) 10-session attentional modification group; (2) 10-session placebo training group; (3) 18-session attentional modification group; or (4) 18-session placebo training group. In the attentional modification groups, the probe-classification version of the visual-probe task will be used to implicitly train attention away from threatening information towards neutral information. Following the intervention, participants will complete a short interview exploring their perceptions about the online training. In addition, a subgroup analysis for participants aged 16-24 and 25-60 will be undertaken. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the University of Southampton Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, and in lay reports for pain charities and patient support groups. Trial registration number NCT02232100; Pre-results.
attention bias modification, chronic pain, internet-delivered therapy, musculoskeletal pain, randomised-controlled trial, visual-probe task
1-10
Liossi, Christina
fd401ad6-581a-4a31-a60b-f8671ffd3558
Georgallis, Tsampikos
70bd50ca-b814-40db-ba65-2c09949e3629
Zhang, Jin
27009b1e-dd46-4a6c-a3bc-d5a90246d9e9
Hamilton, Fiona
5bbcbac0-5b6e-42c6-8cad-39f87def7a14
White, Paul
21cc3846-ced5-4079-8196-45a2e5476fea
Schoth, Daniel
73f3036e-b8cb-40b2-9466-e8e0f341fdd5
20 February 2020
Liossi, Christina
fd401ad6-581a-4a31-a60b-f8671ffd3558
Georgallis, Tsampikos
70bd50ca-b814-40db-ba65-2c09949e3629
Zhang, Jin
27009b1e-dd46-4a6c-a3bc-d5a90246d9e9
Hamilton, Fiona
5bbcbac0-5b6e-42c6-8cad-39f87def7a14
White, Paul
21cc3846-ced5-4079-8196-45a2e5476fea
Schoth, Daniel
73f3036e-b8cb-40b2-9466-e8e0f341fdd5
Liossi, Christina, Georgallis, Tsampikos, Zhang, Jin, Hamilton, Fiona, White, Paul and Schoth, Daniel
(2020)
Internet-delivered attentional bias modification training (iABMT) for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
BMJ Open, 10 (2), , [030607].
Abstract
Introduction Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a complex medical condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Patients with chronic pain demonstrate attentional biases towards pain-related information. The therapeutic benefits of modifying attentional biases by implicitly training attention away from pain-related information towards neutral information have been supported in a small number of published studies. Limited research however has explored the efficacy of modifying pain-related biases via the internet. This protocol describes a randomised, double-blind, internet-delivered attentional bias modification intervention, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention on reducing pain interference. Secondary outcomes are pain intensity, state and trait anxiety, depression, pain-related fear, and sleep impairment. This study will also explore the effects of training intensity on these outcomes, along with participants' perceptions about the therapy. Methods and analysis The study is a double-blind, randomised controlled trial with four arms exploring the efficacy of online attentional bias modification training versus placebo training theorised to offer no specific therapeutic benefit. Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be randomised to one of four groups: (1) 10-session attentional modification group; (2) 10-session placebo training group; (3) 18-session attentional modification group; or (4) 18-session placebo training group. In the attentional modification groups, the probe-classification version of the visual-probe task will be used to implicitly train attention away from threatening information towards neutral information. Following the intervention, participants will complete a short interview exploring their perceptions about the online training. In addition, a subgroup analysis for participants aged 16-24 and 25-60 will be undertaken. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the University of Southampton Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, and in lay reports for pain charities and patient support groups. Trial registration number NCT02232100; Pre-results.
Text
AMBT BMJ Open Protocol 07-01-20 - clean
- Accepted Manuscript
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A_e030607.full
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 8 January 2020
e-pub ahead of print date: 20 February 2020
Published date: 20 February 2020
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Publisher Copyright:
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.
Keywords:
attention bias modification, chronic pain, internet-delivered therapy, musculoskeletal pain, randomised-controlled trial, visual-probe task
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 437567
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/437567
ISSN: 2044-6055
PURE UUID: dc9c7176-66c6-478b-8a5a-ff2effdabb89
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 05 Feb 2020 17:34
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:04
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Contributors
Author:
Tsampikos Georgallis
Author:
Fiona Hamilton
Author:
Paul White
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