A Mixed Methods Evaluation of EPIO; a Digital Pain Self-management Program for People Living with Chronic Pain
Abstract
Chronic pain is a disabling and distressing health concern that burdens patients, their loved ones, and society at large. To address the complexities of chronic pain, multidisciplinary pain management, including patient education and self-management interventions, has been recommended. The challenge is that in-person interventions are not always available for these patients. Digital solutions may improve access to such support, although knowledge about the use, engagement, and effect of existing digital pain management programs is still limited. The primary objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the feasibility, engagement, and short-term efficacy of EPIO, a digital pain self-management program for people with chronic pain. The mixed methods evaluation showed that the EPIO intervention was feasible and had excellent user satisfaction. The EPIO program fostered joy and enthusiasm, raised self-awareness, and a sense of acceptance and support in coping with pain. The results after three months in a randomized control trial showed statistically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and self-regulatory fatigue for the group using EPIO. Overall, digital interventions such as EPIO can be an essential step towards offering easy access to meaningful and effective digital pain self-management interventions and contribute to raising awareness and acceptance, helping improve psychological well-being for people with chronic pain.List of papers
Paper I. Bostrøm K., Børøsund E., Varsi C., Eide H., Flakk Nordang E., Schreurs K.M.G., Waxenberg L.B., Weiss KE., Morrison E.J., Cvancarova Småstuen M., Stubhaug A., & Solberg Nes L. (2020). Digital Self-Management in Support of Patients Living with Chronic Pain: Feasibility Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res, 4(10): e23893. DOI: 0.2196/23893. The article is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.2196/23893 |
Paper II. Bostrøm K., Varsi C., Eide H., Børøsund E., Kristjánsdottir O.B., Schreurs KMG., Waxenberg L.B., Weiss K.E., Morrison E.J., Nordang E.F., Stubhaug A., & Solberg Nes L. (2022). Engaging with EPIO, a digital pain self-management program: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res, 22(1): 577. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07963-x. The article is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07963-x |
Paper III. Bostrøm K., Børøsund E., Eide H., Varsi C., Kristjánsdottir O.B., Schreurs K.M.G., Waxenberg L.B., Weiss K.E., Morrison E.J., Stavenes Støle H., Cvancarova Småstuen M., Stubhaug A., & Solberg Nes L. (under review – 2023). Short-term findings from a randomized controlled trial testing EPIO – a digital self-management program for people living with chronic pain (Under review - submitted for peer review to Journal of Medical Internet Research March 14th 2023). Published as: Short-Term Findings From Testing EPIO, a Digital Self-Management Program for People Living With Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial, J Med Internet Res 2023;25:e47284. DOI: 10.2196/47284. The article is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.2196/47284 |