The Norwegian "iCanCope With Pain" App

Summary

Background: Research evidence shows that prevalence of pain in adolescents is increasing and is therefore recognized as a growing health problem. Psychological interventions delivered remotely through the internet may reduce intensity or severity of pain among children and adolescents with chronic pain. The iCanCope with Pain program is an existing web- and mobile-based self-management program, which is developed as a multi-center study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and is based on identified health care needs and current best practices for pain self-management.

Objectives: The primary objectives are to describe the translation and cultural adaptation of the Norwegian version of the iCanCope with Pain mobile application and evaluate the effect in an upcoming randomized controlled trail with adolescents with chronic pain.

Study sample: 16-19-year-old adolescents with self-declared persistent and/or chronic pain. Recruited from high schools in Southern Norway.

Theoretical framework: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is explained by an integration of behavioral and cognitive theories of human behavior and psychopathology and is often the preferred treatment of choice for adolescents with different health disorders. The theoretical framework of CBT is integrated in the iCanCope with Pain app in terms of five components. The intervention group will receive the app with all five components: (I) symptom trackers for pain, sleep, mood, physical, and social function; (II) goal setting to improve pain and function; (III) coping toolbox of pain self-management strategies; (IV) social support; (V) age-appropriate pain education. The control group will receive the app with only the first self-registration component (I) symptom trackers for pain, sleep, mood, physical, and social function.

Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative data will be gathered for evaluating the Norwegian version of the iCanCope with Pain app. Usability testing are assessed in both laboratory settings and in field using observation, interviews and questionnaires, which provide necessary information for an upcoming randomized controlled trail (RCT). Outcomes will in the RCT be measured at baseline (mid-April) and after an 8 weeks intervention (mid-June).

The study is part of a PhD project.

Conditions

• Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

iCanCope with Pain

The participants are free to use the Norwegian iCanCope with Pain app as much as they want during the 8 week intervention period. The only support available is technical support.

BEHAVIORAL

iCanCope with Pain control

The participants are free to use the Norwegian iCanCope with Pain control app as much as they want during the 8 week intervention period. The only support available is technical support.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hospital for Sick Children

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Agder

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kristin Haraldstad, PhD · UiA

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

19 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-11-28

Primary Completion

2018-06-15

Completion

2018-06-15

Countries

• Norway

Study Locations