The utility of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to improve self-management and functioning in chronic pain has repeatedly been shown, but modest effects sizes calls for further improvements. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is a development within CBT, with strong empirical support for longstanding unspecific pain. The treatment objective in ACT is to improve increased behavioral flexibility, ie. the ability to act in alignment with valued activities also in the presence of pain and distress. There is yet scarcity of studies evaluating internet-delivered ACT.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of iACT, and internet delivered ACT protocol based on a micro learning format, consisting of daily steps including short texts/audio files and exercises take less than 15 minutes per day for eight weeks.

Participants (n = 113) were self-referred individuals from all over Sweden (91% females, mean age 49.5 years, mean pain duration 17.8 years, 88% fulfilling criteria for at least one psychiatric diagnosis, e.g. depression, fatigue), Participants were randomized to iACT (n = 57) or a waitlist control condition (n = 56).

In short, only three participants dropped out of treatment, suggesting good feasibility. Results show significant improvements following iACT in pain interference and psychological inflexibility as compared to the control group, with effect sizes in the medium to high range. Furthermore, preliminary analyses suggest that the effects if iACT remain 12 months following end of treatment.

INTERNET-DELIVERED ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (IACT) USING A MICRO-LEARNING FORMAT FOR ADULTS WITH LONGSTANDING PAIN - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL